3-(thio-substitutedamido)-lactams useful as inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinase

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides novel thio-substitutedamido lactam derivatives of the formulauseful in as inhibitors of matrix metallo-proteinases (MMPs).

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/155,224, filed Dec. 31, 1998 now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPS) are a family of zinc containing endopeptidases which are capable of cleaving large biomolecules such as the collagens, proteoglycans and gelatins. Expression is upregulated by pro-inflammatory cytokines and/or growth factors. The MMP's are secreted as inactive zymogens which, upon activation, are subject to control by endogenous inhibitors, for example, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP) and α₂-macroglobulin. Chapman, K. T. et al., J. Med. Chem. 36,4293-4301 (1993); Beckett, R. P. et al., DDT 1, 16-26 (1996). The characterizing feature of diseases involving the enzymes appears to be a stoichiometric imbalance between active enzymes and endogenous inhibitors, leading to excessive tissue disruption, and often degradation. McCachren, S. S., Arthritis Rheum. 34, 1085-1093 (1991).

The discovery of different families of matrix metalloproteinase, their relationships, and their individual characteristics have been categorized in several reports. Emonard, H. et al., Cell Molec. Biol. 36, 131-153 (1990); Birkedal-Hansen, H., J. Oral Pathol. 17, 445-451 (1988); Matrisian, L. M., Trends Genet. 6, 121-125 (1990); Murphy, G. J. P. et al., FEBS Lett. 289, 4-7 (1991); Matrisian, L. M., Bioessays 14, 455-463 (1992). Three groups of MMPs have been delineated: the collagenases which have triple helical interstitial collagen as a substrate, the gelatinases which are proteinases of denatured collagen and Type IV collagen, and the stromelysins which were originally characterized as proteoglycanases but have now been identified to have a broader proteolytic spectrum. Examples of specific collagenases include fibroblast collagenase characterized as proteoglycanases but have now been identified to have a broader proteolytic spectrum. Examples of specific collagenases include fibroblast collagenase (MMP-1), neutrophil collagenase (MMP-8), and collagenase 3 (MMP-13). Examples of gelatinases include 72 kDa gelatinase (gelatinase A; MMP-2) and 92 kDa gelatinase (gelatinase B; MMP-9). Examples of stromelysins include stromelysin 1 (MMP-3), stromelysin 2 (MMP-10) and matrilysin (MMP-7). Other MMPs which do not fit neatly into the above groups include metalloelastase (MMP-12), membrane-type MMP (MT-MMP or MMP-14) and stromelysin 3 (MMP-11). Beckett, R. P. et al., supra.

Over-expression and activation of MMPs have been linked with a wide range of diseases such as cancer; rheumatoid arthritis; osteoarthritis; chronic inflammatory disorders, such as emphysema and smoking-induced emphysema; cardiovascular disorders, such as atherosclerosis; corneal ulceration; dental diseases such as gingivitis and periodontal disease; and neurological disorders, such as multiple sclerosis. For example, in adenocarcinoma, invasive proximal gastric cells express the 72 kDa form of collagenase Type IV, whereas the noninvasive cells do not. Schwartz, G. K. et al., Cancer 73, 22-27 (1994). Rat embryo cells transformed by the Ha-ras and v-myc oncogenes or by Ha-ras alone are metastatic in nude mice and release the 92 kDa gelatinase/collagenase (MMP-9). Bernhard, E. J. et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 91, 4293-4597 (1994). The plasma concentration of MMP-9 was significantly increased (P<0.01) in 122 patients with gastrointestinal tract cancer and breast cancer. Zucker, S. et al., Cancer Res. 53, 140-146 (1993). Moreover, intraperitoneal administration of batimastat, a synthetic MMP inhibitor, gave significant inhibition in the growth and metastatic spread and number of lung colonies which were produced by intravenous injection of the B16-BL6 murine melanoma in C57BL/6N mice. Chirivi, R. G. S. et al., Int. J. Cancer 58, 460-464 (1994). Over-expression of TIMP-2, the endogenous tissue inhibitor of MMP-2, markedly reduced melanoma growth in the skin of immunodeficient mice. Montgomery, A. M. P. et al., Cancer Res. 54, 5467-5473 (1994).

Accelerated breakdown of the extracellular matrix of articular cartilage is a key feature in the pathology of both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Current evidence suggests that the inappropriate synthesis of MMPs is the key event. Beeley, N. R. A. et al., Curr. Opin. Ther. Patents, 4(1), 7-16 (1994). The advent of reliable diagnostic tools have allowed a number of research groups to recognize that stromelysin is a key enzyme in both arthritis and joint trauma. Beeley, N. R. A. et al., Id.; Hasty, K. A. et al., Arthr. Rheum. 33, 388-397 (1990). It has also been shown that stromelysin is important for the conversion of procollagenase to active collagenase. Murphy, G. et al., Biochem. J. 248, 265-268 (1987).

Furthermore, a range of MMPs can hydrolyse the membrane-bound precursor of the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α). Gearing, A. J. H. et al., Nature 370, 555-557 (1994). This cleavage yields mature soluble TNF-α and the inhibitors of MMPs can block production of TNF-α both in vitro and in vivo. Gearing, A. J. H. et al., Id.; Mohler, K. M. et al., Nature 370, 218-220 (1994); McGeehan, G. M. et al., Nature 370, 558-561 (1994). This pharmacological action is a probable contributor to the antiarthritic action of this class of compounds seen in animal models. Beckett, R. P. et al., supra.

Stromelysin has been observed to degrade the α₁-proteinase inhibitor which regulates the activity of enzymes such as elastase, excesses of which have been linked to chronic inflammatory disorders such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Beeley, N. R. A. et al., supra.; Wahl, R. C. et al., Annual Reports in Medicinal Chemistry 25, 177-184 (1990). In addition, a recent study indicates that MMP-12 is required for the development of smoking-induced emphysema in mice. Science, 277, 2002 (1997). Inhibition of the appropriate MMP may thus potentiate the inhibitory activity of endogenous inhibitors of this type.

High levels of mRNA corresponding to stromelysin have been observed in atherosclerotic plaques removed from heart transplant patients. Henney, A. M., et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 88, 8154-8158 (1991). It is submitted that the role of stromelysin in such plaques is to encourage rupture of the connective tissue matrix which encloses the plaque. This rupture is in turn thought to be a key event in the cascade which leads to clot formation of the type seen in coronary thrombosis. MMP inhibition is thus a preventive measure for such thromboses.

Collagenase, stromelysin and gelatinase have been implicated in the destruction of the extracellular matrix of the cornea. This is thought to be an important mechanism of morbidity and visual loss in a number of ulcerative ocular diseases, particularly those following infection or chemical damage. Burns, F. R. et al., Invest. Opthalmol. and Visual Sci. 32, 1569-1575 (1989). The MMPs present in the eye during ulceration are derived either endogenously from infiltrating leucocytes or fibroblasts, or exogenously from microbes.

Collagenase and stromelysin activities have been identified in fibroblasts isolated from inflamed gingiva and the levels of enzyme have been correlated with the severity of the gingivitis observed. Beeley, N. R. A. et al., supra.; Overall, C. M. et al., J. Periodontal Res. 22, 81-88 (1987).

Excessive levels of gelatinase-B in cerebrospinal fluid has been linked with incidence of multiple sclerosis and other neurological disorders. Beeley, N. R. A. et al., supra.; Miyazaki, K. et al., Nature 362, 839-841 (1993). The enzyme may play a key role in the demyelination of neurones and the breakdown of the blood brain barrier which occurs in such disorders.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides novel thio-substitutedamido lactam derivatives of the formula

wherein

q is 1 or 2;

A is selected from the group consisting of —OH and —NRR′;

wherein

R and R′ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁-C₆ alkyl or R and R′ taken together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a N-morpholino, N-piperidino, N-pyrrolidino, or N-isoindolyl;

R₁ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, —(CH₂)_(a)—CO₂R₅, —(CH₂)_(a)-C(O)NH₂, —(CH₂)₄NH₂, —(CH₂)₃—NH—C(NH)NH₂, —(CH₂)₂—S(O)_(b)—CH₃, —CH₂—OH, —CH(OH)CH₃, —(CH₂)_(d)—Ar₁, and —CH₂—Ar₂;

wherein

a is 1 or 2;

b is 0, 1, or 2;

d is an integer from 0 to 4;

R₅ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₄ alkyl, and benzyl;

Ar₁ is a radical selected from the group consisting of

wherein

R₆ is from 1 to 2 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₄ alkyl, hydroxy, and C₁-C₄ alkoxy;

R₇ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₄ alkyl, and C₁-C₄ alkoxy;

Ar₂ is a radical selected from the group consisting of

R₂ is selected from the group consisting of C₁-C₆ alkyl, —(CH₂)_(g)—Ar_(1′), and —(CH₂)—Ar_(2′);

wherein

g is an integer from 1 to 4;

Ar_(1′) is a radical selected from the group consisting of

wherein

R_(6′) is from 1 to 2 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₄ alkyl, hydroxy, and C₁-C₄ alkoxy;

R_(7′) is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₄ alkyl, and C₁-C₄ alkoxy;

Ar_(2′) is a radical selected from the group consisting of

R₃ is selected from the group consisting of C₁-C₆ alkyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—W, —(CH₂)_(p)—Ar₃, —(CH₂)_(k)—CO₂R₉, —(CH₂)_(m)—NR_(8′)SO₂—Y₁, and —(CH₂)_(m)—Z—Q

wherein

m is an integer from 2 to 8;

p is an integer from 0-10;

k is an integer from 1 to 9;

W is phthalimido;

Ar₃ is selected from the group consisting of

wherein

R₂₃ is from 1 to 2 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₄ alkyl, and C₁-C₄ alkoxy;

R_(8′) is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl;

R₉ is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl;

Y₁ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, —(CH₂)_(j)—Ar₄, and —N(R₂₄)₂

wherein

j is 0 or 1;

R₂₄ each time selected is independently hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl or are taken together with the nitrogen to which they are attached to form N-morpholino, N-piperidino, N-pyrrolidino, or N-isoindolyl;

Ar₄ is

wherein

R₂₅ is from 1 to 3 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₄ alkyl, and C₁-C₄ alkoxy;

Z is selected from the group consisting of —O—, —NR₈—, —C(O)NR₈—, —NR₈C(O)—, —NR₈C(O)NH—, —NR₈C(O)O—, and —OC(O)NH—;

wherein

R₈ is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl;

Q is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, —(CH₂)_(n)—Y₂, and —(CH₂)_(x)Y₃;

wherein

n is an integer from 0 to 4;

Y₂ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, —(CH₂)_(h)—Ar₅ and —(CH₂)_(t)—C(O)OR₂₇

wherein

Ar₅ is selected from the group consisting of

 wherein

 R₂₆ is from 1 to 3 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₄ alkyl, and C₁-C₄ alkoxy;

h is an integer from 0 to 6;

t is an integer from 1 to 6;

R₂₇ is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl;

x is an integer from 2 to 4;

Y₃ is selected from the group consisting of —N(R₂₈)₂, N-morpholino, N-piperidino, N-pyrrolidino, and N-isoindolyl;

wherein

R₂₈ each time taken is independently hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl;

R₄ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, —C(O)R₁₀, —C(O)—(CH₂)_(q)—X and —S—G

wherein

R₁₀ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₄ alkyl, phenyl, and benzyl;

e is 0, 1, or 2;

X is selected from the group consisting of

wherein

V is selected from the group consisting of a bond, —CH₂—, —O—, —S(O)_(r)—, —NR₂₁—, and —NC(O)R₂₂—;

wherein

r is 0, 1, or 2;

R₂₁ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₄ alkyl, and benzyl;

R₂₂ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, —CF₃, C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, phenyl, and benzyl;

R₁₁ each time taken is independently hydrogen, C₁-C₄ alkyl, or benzyl;

G is selected from the group consisting of

wherein

w is an integer from 1 to 3;

R₁₂ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, —CH₂CH₂S(O)_(u)CH₃, and benzyl;

wherein u is 0, 1, or 2;

R₁₃ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydroxy, amino, C₁-C₆ alkyl, N-methylamino, N,N-dimethylamino, —CO₂R₁₇, and —OC(O)R₁₈;

wherein

R₁₇ is hydrogen, —CH₂O—C(O)C(CH₃)₃, C₁-C₄ alkyl, benzyl, or diphenylmethyl;

R₁₈ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl or phenyl;

R₁₄ is 1 or 2 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₁-C₄ alkoxy, or halogen;

V₁ is selected from the group consisting of —O—, —S—, and —NH—;

V₂ is selected from the group consisting of —N— and —CH—;

V₃ is selected from the group consisting of a bond and —C(O)—;

V₄ is selected from the group consisting of —O—, —S—, —NR₁₉—, and —NC(O)R₂₀;

wherein

R₁₉ is hydrogen, C₁-C₄ alkyl, or benzyl;

R₂₀ is hydrogen, —CF₃, C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, or benzyl;

R₁₅ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl and benzyl;

R₁₆ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁-C₄ alkyl;

and stereoisomers, pharmaceutically acceptable salt, and hydrate thereof.

The present invention further provides a method of inhibiting matrix metallo-proteinases (MMPs) in a patient in need thereof comprising administering to the patient an effective matrix metalloproteinase inhibiting amount of a compound of formula (1).

In addition, the present invention provides a composition comprising an assayable amount of a compound of formula (1) in admixture or otherwise in association with an inert carrier. The present invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective MMP inhibitory amount of a compound of formula (1) in admixture or otherwise in association with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or excipients.

As is appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art the compounds of formula (1) exist as stereoisomers. Specifically, it is recognized that they exist as stereoisomers at the point of attachment of the substituents R₁, R₂, R₃, and —SR₄, R₁₂, and —NHR₁₅. Where indicated the compounds follow either the (+)- and (−)-designation for optical rotation, the (D)- and (L)-designation of relative stereochemistry, or the Cahn-Ingold-Prelog designation of (R)- and (S)- for the stereochemistry of at specific positions in the compounds represented by formula (1) and intermediates thereof. Any reference in this application to one of the compounds of the formula (1) is meant to encompass either specific stereoisomers or a mixture of stereoisomers.

The specific stereoisomers can be prepared by stereospecific synthesis using enantiomerically pure or enantiomerically enriched starting materials which are well known in the art. The specific stereoisomers of amino acid starting materials are commercially available or can be prepared by stereospecific synthesis as is well known in the art or analogously known in the art, such as D. A. Evans, et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc., 112, 4011-4030 (1990); S. Ikegami et al. Tetrahedron, 44, 5333-5342 (1988); W. Oppolzer et al. Tet. Lets. 30, 6009-6010 (1989); Synthesis of Optically Active α-Amino-Acids, R. M. Williams (Pergamon Press, Oxford 1989); M. J. O'Donnell ed.: α-Amino-Acid Synthesis, Tetrahedron Symposia in print, No. 33, Tetrahedron 44, No. 17 (1988); U. Schöllkopf, Pure Appl. Chem. 55, 1799 (1983); U. Hengartner et al. J. Org. Chem., 44, 3748-3752 (1979); M. J. O'Donnell et al. Tet. Lets., 2641-2644 (1978); M. J. O'Donnell et al. Tet. Lets. 23, 4255-4258 (1982); M. J. O'Donnell et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc., 110,8520-8525 (1988).

The specific stereoisomers of either starting materials or products can be resolved and recovered by techniques known in the art, such as chromatography on chiral stationary phases, enzymatic resolution, or fractional recrystallization of addition salts formed by reagents used for that purpose. Useful methods of resolving and recovering specific stereoisomers are known in the art and described in Stereochemistry of Organic Compounds, E. L. Eliel and S. H. Wilen, Wiley (1994) and Enantiomers, Racemates, and Resolutions, J. Jacques, A. Collet, and S. H. Wilen, Wiley (1981).

As used in this Application:

a) the term “halogen” refers to a fluorine atom, chlorine atom, bromine atom, or iodine atom;

b) the term “C₁-C₆ alkyl” refers to a branched or straight chained alkyl radical containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, such as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, t-butyl, pentyl, hexyl, etc.;

c) the term “C₁-C₄ alkyl” refers to a saturated straight or branched chain alkyl group containing from 1-4 carbon atoms and includes methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, s-butyl, isobutyl, and t-butyl;

d) the term “C₁-C₄ alkoxy” refers to a straight or branched alkoxy group containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, such as methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, isopropoxy, n-butoxy, isobutoxy, t-butoxy, etc.;

e) the designation “” refers to a bond for which the stereochemistry is not designated;

f) the designation “” refers to a bond that protrudes forward out of the plane of the page.

g) the designation “” refers to a bond that protrudes backward out of the plane of the page.

h) as used in the examples and preparations, the following terms have the meanings indicated: “g” refers to grams, “mg” refers to milligrams, “μg” refers to micrograms, “mol” refers to moles, “mmol” refers to millimoles, “nmole” refers to nanomoles, “L” refers to liters, “mL” or “ml” refers to milliliters, “μL” refers to microliters, “° C.” refers to degrees Celsius, “R_(f)” refers to retention factor, “mp” refers to melting point, “dec” refers to decomposition, “bp” refers to boiling point, “mm of Hg” refers to pressure in millimeters of mercury, “cm” refers to centimeters, “nm” refers to nanometers, “brine” refers to a saturated aqueous sodium chloride solution, “M” refers to molar, “mM” refers to millimolar, “μM” refers to micromolar, “nM” refers to nanomolar, “HPLC” refers to high performance liquid chromatography, “HRMS” refers to high resolution mass spectrum, “DMF” refers to dimethylformamide, “μCi” refers to microcuries, “i.p.” refers to intraperitoneally, “i.v.” refers to intravenously, and “DPM” refers to disintegrations per minute;

i) for substituent Z, the designations —C(O)NR₈—, —NR₈C(O)—, —NR₈C(O)NH—, —NR₈C(O)O—, and —OC(O)NH— refer to the functionalities represented, respectively, by the following formulae showing the attachment of the group (Q):

these designations are referred to hereinafter as amido, amide, urea, N-carbamoyl, and O-carbamoyl, respectively;

j) the term “pharmaceutically acceptable salts” thereof refers to either an acid addition salt or a basic addition salt.

The expression “pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts” is intended to apply to any non-toxic organic or inorganic acid addition salt of the base compounds represented by formula (1) or any of its intermediates. Illustrative inorganic acids which form suitable salts include hydrochloric, hydrobromic, sulphuric, and phosphoric acid and acid metal salts such as sodium monohydrogen orthophosphate, and potassium hydrogen sulfate. Illustrative organic acids which form suitable salts include the mono-, di-, and tricarboxylic acids. Illustrative of such acids are for example, acetic, glycolic, lactic, pyruvic, malonic, succinic, glutaric, fuimaric, malic, tartaric, citric, ascorbic, maleic, hydroxymaleic, benzoic, hydroxybenzoic, phenylacetic, cinnamic, salicyclic, 2-phenoxybenzoic, p-toluenesulfonic acid, and sulfonic acids such as methane sulfonic acid and 2-hydroxyethane sulfonic acid. Such salts can exist in either a hydrated or substantially anhydrous form. In general, the acid addition salts of these compounds are soluble in water and various hydrophilic organic solvents, and which in comparison to their free base forms, generally demonstrate higher melting points.

The expression “pharmaceutically acceptable basic addition salts” is intended to apply to any non-toxic organic or inorganic basic addition salts of the compounds represented by formula (1) or any of its intermediates. Illustrative bases which form suitable salts include alkali metal or alkaline-earth metal hydroxides such as sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, or barium hydroxides; ammonia, and aliphatic, alicyclic, or aromatic organic amines such as methylamine, dimethylamine, trimethylamine, and picoline.

As with any group of structurally related compounds which possess a particular utility, certain groups and configurations of substituents are preferred for the compounds of formula (1). Preferred embodiments are given below:

The compounds in which R₁ is selected from the group consisting of C₁-C₆ alkyl and —(CH₂)_(d)—Ar₁ are preferred;

The compounds in which R₁ is —(CH₂)_(d)—Ar₁ are more preferred;

The compounds in which R₁ is —(CH₂)_(d)—Ar₁ in which d is 1 or 2 and Ar₁ is phenyl are most preferred;

The compounds in which R₂ is selected from the group consisting of C₁-C₆ alkyl and —(CH₂)_(g)—Ar_(1′) are preferred;

The compounds in which R₂ is —(CH₂)_(g)—Ar_(1′) are more preferred;

The compounds in which R₂ is —(CH₂)_(g)—Ar_(1′) in which g is 1, 2 or 3 and Ar_(1′) is phenyl are most preferred;

The compounds in which R₃ is selected from the group consisting of —(CH₂)_(m)—W and —(CH₂)_(m)—Z—Q are preferred;

The compounds in which R₃ is —(CH₂)_(m)—W in which m is 4 are more preferred;

Compounds in which R₄ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, —C(O)R₁₀ and —S—G are preferred;

Compounds in which R₄ is selected from the group consisting of —C(O)R₁₀ and R₁₀ is C₁-C₄ alkyl more preferred;

Compounds in which A is —OH are preferred; and

Compounds in which A is —NRR′ wherein R is hydrogen and R′ is methyl are preferred.

Examples of compounds encompassed by the present invention include the following. It is understood that the examples encompass all of the isomers of the compound and mixtures thereof. This list is meant to be representative only and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way:

3-((S)-2-mercapto-5-phthalamidopentamido)-3-phenethyl-1-((S)-1-methylcarbamoyl-2-phenylethyl)pyrrolidin-2-one;

3-((S)-2-mercapto-6-phenylhexamido)-3-phenethyl-1-((S)-1-methylcarbamoyl-2-phenylethyl)pyrrolidin-2-one;

3-((S)-2-mercapto-6-phthalamidohexamido)-3-phenethyl-1-((S)-1-methylcarbamoyl-2-phenylmethyl)pyrrolidin-2-one;

3-((S)-2-mercapto-6-phthalamidohexamido)-3-phenethyl-1-((S)-1-methylcarbamoyl-2-phenylmethyl)piperidin-2-one;

3-((S)-2-mercapto-5-phthalamidopentamido)-3-phenethyl-1-((S)-1-carboxy-2-phenylethyl)pyrrolidin-2-one;

3-((S)-2-mercapto-6-phenylhexamido)-3-phenethyl-1-((S)-1-carboxy-2-phenylethyl)pyrrolidin-2-one;

3-((S)-2-mercapto-6-phthalamidohexamido)-3-phenethyl-1-((S)-1-carboxy-2-phenylmethyl)pyrrolidin-2-one;

3-((S)-2-mercapto-6-phthalamidohexamido)-3-phenethyl-1-((S)-1-carboxy-2-phenylmethyl)piperidin-2one;

3-((S)-2-benzoylthio-6-phthalamidohexamido)-3-phenethyl-1-((S)-1-methylcarbamoyl-2-phenylethyl)pyrrolidin-2-one; and

3-((S)-2-acetylthio-6-phthalamidohexamido)-3-phenethyl-1-((S)-1-methylcarbamoyl-2-phenylethyl)pyrrolidin-2-one.

The compounds of formula (1) can be prepared by a variety of procedures readily known to those skilled in the art. Such procedures include, peptide coupling, such as solid phase sequential procedures and solution phase sequential procedures using suitable amino acids and substituted acids and displacement, modification, and functionalization procedures, as required, utilizing suitable protecting groups and deprotection procedures.

As used herein the term “amino acid” refers to naturally occurring amino acids as well as non-naturally occurring amino acids having substituents encompassed by R₁ and R₂ as described above. The naturally occurring amino acids included are glycine, alanine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, serine, methionine, threonine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, tryptophan, cysteine, histidine, aspartic acid, asparagine, glutamic acid, glutamine, arginine, ornithine, and lysine. Non-naturally occurring amino acids within the term “amino acid,” include without limitation, the D-isomers of the naturally occurring amino acids, norleucine, norvaline, alloisoleucine, t-butylglycine, methionine sulfoxide, and methionine sulfone. Other non-naturally occurring amino acids within the term “amino acid,” include without limitation phenylalanines, phenylglycines, homophenylalanines, 3-phenylpropylglycines, 4-phenylbutylglycines; each including those substituted by R₆ and R_(6′) as described above; and 1-naphthylalanines and 2-naphthylalanines; including those substituted by R₇ and R_(7′) as described above.

The compounds of formula (1) can be prepared by utilizing techniques and procedures well known and appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art. To illustrate, general synthetic schemes for preparing intermediates and the compounds of formula (1) are set forth below. In the reaction schemes below, the reagents and starting materials are readily available to one of ordinary skill in the art and all substituents are as previously defined unless otherwise indicated.

In Reaction Scheme A, step 1, an appropriate amino protected amino acid derivative of the formula (2) or a salt thereof is reacted with formaldehyde or a formaldehyde equivalent to give a 4-substituted-3-(protected)oxazolidin-5-one of formula (3).

An appropriate compound of the formula (2) is one in which R₂ is as desired in the final compound of formula (1) or gives rise after deprotection to R₂ as desired in the final compound of formula (1). The amino protecting group (Pg₁) is one which can be selectively removed in and any protecting groups on R₁ and/or R₂. The use of carbobenzyloxy (Cbz) for Pg₁ is preferred.

For example, an appropriate amino protected amino acid derivative of the formula (2) is reacted with 1 to 4 molar equivalents of paraformaldehyde and an acid catalyst, such as p-toluenesulfonic acid. The reaction is carried out in a suitable solvent, such as toluene or benzene, and under conditions in which water is removed from the reaction mixture, such as by the use of a Dean-Stark trap or by the use of molecular sieves. The reaction is carried out at temperatures of from ambient temperature to the refluxing temperature of the solvent. The reaction generally requires from about 1 to 48 hours. The product can be isolated and purified by techniques well known in the art, such as extraction, evaporation, trituration, chromatography, and recrystallization.

In Reaction Scheme A, step 2, a 4-substituted-3-(protected)oxazolidin-5-one of formula (3) is allylated to give a 4-allyl-4-substituted-3-(protected)oxazolidin-5-one of formula (4).

For example, a 4-substituted-3-(protected)oxazolidin-5-one of formula (3) is contacted with a molar excess of allyl iodide, allyl bromide, or allyl chloride. The reaction is carried out in the presence of a suitable base, such as sodium hydride, sodium bis(trimethylsilyl)amid, potassium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide, or lithium diisopropylamide. The reaction is carried out in a suitable solvent, such as tetrahydrofuran, diethyl ether, dimethylformamide, or tetrahydrofuran/dimethylformamide mixtures. The reaction is carried out at temperature of from about −78° C. to about 0° C. The reaction generally requires from 1 to 72 hours. The product can be isolated and purified by techniques well known in the art, such as extraction, evaporation, chromatography, and recrystallization.

In Reaction Scheme A, step 3,4-allyl-4-substituted-3-(protected)oxazolidin-5-one of formula (4) is hydrolyzed and esterified to give an amino protected allylated amino ester of formula (5).

For example, a 4-allyl-4-substituted-3-(protected)oxazolidin-5-one of formula (4) is reacted with a suitable hydrolyzing agent, such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide, or sodium carbonate to give an acid. The hydrolysis reaction is carried out in a suitable solvent, such as water, ethanol, methanol, or water/methanol mixtures, water/ethanol mixtures, water/tetrahydrofuran mixtures. The reactions are carried out at temperatures of from 0° C. to the refluxing temperature of the solvent and generally require from 30 minutes to 48 hours. The acid produced in the hydrolysis reaction can be isolated using techniques well known in the art, such as acidification, extraction, and evaporation. The acid may be used after isolation without further purification or may be purified by chromatography, tritruration, and recrystallization as is known in the art. The acid is then esterified to give an amino protected allylated amino ester of formula (5). For example, to give the methyl ester depicted in Reaction Scheme A, the acid is contacted with a ester forming reagent, such as (trimethylsilyl)diazomethane. This reaction is carried out in a suitable solvent, such as methanol or methanol/tetrahydrofuran mixtures. The reactions are carried out at temperatures of from 0° C. to the refluxing temperature of the solvent and generally require from 12 to 48 hours. The product can be isolated and purified by techniques well known in the art, such as acidification, extraction, evaporation, chromatography, tritruration, and recrystallization.

In Reaction Scheme A, optional step 4, amino protected allylated amino ester of formula (5) is converted to a 2-oxoethyl amino ester of formula (6a) which gives rise to compounds of formula (1) in which q is 1.

For example, an amino protected allylated amino ester of formula (5) is contacted with ozone in the presence of methanol. The reaction is carried out in a suitable solvent, such as dichloromethane. The reaction is carried out a at temperature of from about −100° C. to about −60° C., with about −70° C. being preferred. The reaction is worked-up reductively by the addition of a suitable reducing agent, such as tributylphosphine or dimethylsulfide. The product may be isolated by evaporation and may be used without further purification. The product may be purified by techniques well known in the art, such as chromatography and recrystallization.

Alternatively, for example, an amino protected allylated amino ester of formula (5) is contacted with osmium tetraoxide to give an intermediate diol. The reaction may be carried out using a 0.01 to 0.05 molar equivalents of osmium tetraoxide and a slight molar excess of an oxidant, such as N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide or sodium meta-periodate. The reaction is carried out in a solvent, such as acetone/water mixtures. The reaction is carried out at ambient temperature and generally requires from 12 to 48 hours. The reaction mixture is added to a saturated solution of sodium bisulfite or sodium thiosulfate and the intermediate diol is isolated by extraction and evaporation and used without fuirther purifications. The intermediate diol is contacted with a slight molar excess of lead tetraacetate. The lead tetraacetate reaction is carried out in a solvent, such as chloroform. This reaction is generally carried out at ambient temperature and generally requires from 30 minutes to 8 hours. The product may be isolated by extraction and evaporation and may be used without further purification. The product may be purified by techniques well known in the art, such as chromatography and recrystallization.

In Reaction Scheme A, step 4a, an amino protected allylated amino ester of formula (5) is contacted with an appropriate borane reagent followed by oxidation with peroxide to give an amino protected 3-hydroxylpropyl amino ester of formula (5a) which gives rise to compounds of formula (1) in which q is 2.

For example, an amino protected allylated amino ester of formula (5) is contacted with 1 to 3 molar equivalents of an appropriate boron reagent, such as dicyclohexylborane or 9-borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane (9-BBN) to give a boron intermediate. The reaction is carried out in a suitable solvent, such as tetrahydrofuran. After some time the boron intermediate is contacted with aqueous peroxide solution, preferably in the presence of a buffer at about pH 7, and in a cosolvent, such as methanol or ethanol. The reaction is carried out at ambient temperature and generally requires from 12 to 48 hours. The product may be isolated by extraction and evaporation and may be used without further purification. The product may be purified by techniques well known in the art, such as chromatography and recrystallization.

In Reaction Scheme A, optional step 4b, an amino protected 3-hydroxylpropyl amino ester of formula (5a) is oxidized to give a 3-oxopropyl amino ester of formula (6b).

For example, the Swem method can be used, accordingly two molar equivalents of dimethyl sulfoxide are added dropwise to a solution of oxalyl chloride, pyridine sulfur trioxide complex, or trifluoroacetic anhydride in dichloromethane, at approximately −60° C. After the addition is complete, the reaction is stirred for approximately two minutes. A molar equivalent of an amino protected 3-hydroxypropyl amino ester of formula (5a) as a solution in dichloromethane is added dropwise. After the addition is complete the reaction mixture is stirred for approximately forty minutes, then a 3-fold to 5-fold excess of triethylamine is added. The reaction mixture is allowed to stir with warming to ambient temperature over 1 hour to 5 hours. The product can be isolated and purified by techniques well known in the art, such as extraction, evaporation, chromatography, and recrystallization.

In Reaction Scheme A, step 5, a 2-oxoethyl amino ester of formula (6a) or a 3-oxopropyl amino ester of formula (6b) undergoes a reductive aminination with an appropriate amino acid derivative of formula (7) to give a compound of formula (8).

An appropriate compound of the formula (7) is one in which R₁ is as desired in the final compound of formula (1) or gives rise after deprotection to R₁ as desired in the final compound of formula (1) and A′ is —NRR′ as desired in the final product of formula (1) or a protected carboxy group which gives rise to —OH as desired in the final product of formula (1). Such a protected carboxy is chosen so that it does not interfere with subsequent deprotection, displacement, derivitivization, functionalization, or modification reactions, as are required. The use and removal of carboxy protecting groups is well known and appreciated in the art and described in Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, Theodora W. Greene (Wiley-Interscience, 2nd Edition, 1991). In addition, an appropriate compound of formula (7) may also be one in which the stereochemistry at the R₁ bearing carbon is as desired in the final product of formula (1).

For example, a 2-oxoethyl amino ester of formula (6a) or a 3-oxopropyl amino ester of formula (6b) is contacted with an appropriate amino acid derivative of formula (7) or a salt thereof. The reaction is carried out in a suitable solvent, such as methanol. The reaction is advantageously carried out in the presence of a dehydrating agent such as molecular sieves. The reaction is carried out using a molar excess of a suitable reducing agent such as sodium borohydride or sodium cyanoborohydride with sodium cyanoborohydride being preferred. Generally, the reaction is carried out at temperatures of from 0° C. to 50° C. Generally, the reactions require 1 to 72 hours. The product can be isolated and purified by techniques well known in the art, such as filtration, extraction, evaporation, chromatography, and recrystallization.

In Reaction Scheme A, step 6, a compound of formula (8) is cyclized to give a lactam of formula (9).

For example, a compound of formula (8) is contacted with about an equimolar amount of 1-hydroxybenzotriazole hydrate. The reaction is carried out in a suitable solvent, such as diethoxyethane, toluene, and dimethylformamide or mixtures thereof. The reaction is carried out at temperatures of from about 60° C. to about 140° C. The reaction may be carried out in a sealed tube and generally requires form 1 hour to 48 hours. The product can be isolated and purified by techniques well known in the art, such as extraction, evaporation, chromatography, and recrystallization.

Alternately, for example, a compound of formula (8) is hydrolyzed to the corresponding acid and then cyclized. The hydroysis can be carried out by a variety of methods well known in the art. Following the hydrolysis the corresponding acid is isolated but not necessarily purified before being cyclized. The cyclization of the corresponding acid can be carried out using about an equimolar amount of 1-hydroxybenzotriazole hydrate in the presence of a slight molar excess of a suitable coupling agent, such as dicyclohexylcarbodiimide or 1-(3-dimethyaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide. The reaction is carried out in the presence of a suitable base, such as N,N-diisopropylethylamine, triethylamine, or N-methylmorpholine. The reaction is carried out in a suitable solvent, such as dichloromethane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and dimethylformamide; and at temperatures of from about −50° C. to the refluxing temperature of the solvent. The reaction generally requires from 1 hour to 48 hours. The product can be isolated and purified by techniques well known in the art, such as extraction, evaporation, chromatography, and recrystallization.

In Reaction Scheme A, step 7, a lactam of formula (9) is deprotected to give a compound for formula (10). Such deprotection of amine protecting groups is well known and appreciated in the art.

For example, a compound of formula (9) in which Pg₁ is carbobenzyloxy is contacted with hydrogen in the presence of a suitable catalyst, such as palladium-on-carbon. The reaction is carried out in a suitable solvent, such as methanol, ethanol, tetrahydrofuran, or ethyl acetate or mixtures of methanol and ethyl acetate or tetrahydrofuran. The reaction generally requires from 1 hour to 48 hours. The product can be isolated and purified by techniques well known in the art, such as filtration, extraction, evaporation, chromatography, and recrystallization.

In Reaction Scheme A, step 8, a compound of formula (10) is coupled with an appropriate acid derivative of formula (11) to give a compound of formula (12a). Such coupling reactions are well known in the art.

An appropriate compound of formula (11) is one in which R_(3′) is R₃ as desired in the final product of formula (1) or gives rise after deprotection to R₃ as desired in the final product of formula (1) or R_(3′) is R_(3″) as described in Reaction Scheme B and Y is a protected thio substituent or Y may be a protected hydroxy substituent or bromo which gives rise upon selective deprotection and displacement or displacement and further deprotection and/or elaboration, if required, to —SR₄ as desired in the final product of formula (1). Alternately, an appropriate compound of formula (11) may also be one in which R_(3′) gives rise to R_(3″) which, upon further reaction, gives rise R₃ as desired in the final product of formula (1) and Y is a protected thio substituent. In addition, an appropriate compound of formula (11) may also be one in which the stereochemistry at the R_(3′) and Y bearing carbon is as desired in the final product of formula (1) or gives rise after displacement to the stereochemistry as desired at that carbon in the final product of formula (1).

The use and selection of appropriate protecting groups is within the ability of those skilled in the art and will depend upon compound of formula (11) to be protected, the presence of other protected amino acid residues, other protecting groups, and the nature of the particular R₃ and/or R₄ group(s) ultimately being introduced. Compounds of formula (11) in which Y is bromo and protected thio are commercially available or can be prepared utilizing materials, techniques, and procedures well known and appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art or described herein. See PCT Application WO 96/11209, published Apr. 18, 1996. Examples commercially available compounds of formula (11) in which Y is bromo include 2-bromopropionic acid, 2-bromobutyric acid, 2-bromovaleric acid, 2-bromohexanoic acid, 6-(benzoylamino)-2-bromohexanoic acid, 2-bromoheptanoic acid, 2-bromooctanoic acid, 2-bromo-3-methylbutyric acid, 2-bromoisocaproic acid, 2-bromo-3-(5-imidazoyl)proionic acid, (R)-(+)-2-bromopropionic acid, (S)-(−)-2-bromopropionic acid.

For example, a compound of formula (10) is contacted with a compound of formula (11). The compound of formula (11) may be converted to an activated intermediate; such as and acid chloride, an anhydride; a mixed anhydride of aliphatic carboxylic acid, such as formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, isobutyric acid, pivalic acid, 2-ethylbutyric acid, trichloroacetic acid, trifluoroacetic acid, and the like; of aromatic carboxylic acids, such as benzoic acid and the like; of an activated ester, such as phenol ester, p-nitrophenol ester, 2,4-dinitrophenol ester, pentafluorophenol ester, pentachlorophenol ester, N-hydroxysuccinimide ester, N-hydroxyphthalimide ester, 1-hydroxy-1H-benztriazole ester, O-azabenztriazoyl-N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyluronium hexafluoro-phosphate and the like; activated amide, such as imidazole, dimethylpyrazole, triazole, or tetrazole; or an intermediate formed in the presence of coupling agents, such as dicyclohexylcarbodiimide or 1-(3-dimethyaminopropyl)-3-ethylcaribodiimide. The reaction is carried out in a suitable solvent, such as dichloromethane, chloroform, tetrahydrofuiran, or dimethylformamide. The reaction generally is carried out at temperaures of from about −20° C. to the refluxing temperature of the solvent and generally requires 1 to 48 hours. The product can be isolated and purified by techniques well known in the art, such as filtration, extraction, evaporation, chromatography, and recrystallization.

In Reaction Scheme A, step 9, a compound of formula (12a) in which Y is hydroxy or bromo gives rise to a compound of formula (12b) in which Y is protected thio gives rise upon selective deprotection to give a compound of formula (13).

A compound of formula (12a) in which Y is hydroxy (obtained from protected hydroxy compounds of formula (11)) undergoes a displacement reaction with an appropriate thio introducing reagent by the method of Mitsunobu to give a compound of formula (12b) in which Y is a protected thio substituent. For example, a compound of formula (12a) in which Y is hydroxy reacts with thioacetic acid or thiobenzoic acid, triphenylphosphine, and diethylazodicarboxylate in a suitable aprotic solvent, such as tetrahydrofuran to give a compound of formula (12b) in which Y is thioacetyl or thiobenzoyl. The product can be isolated and purified by techniques well known in the art, such as extraction, evaporation, trituration, lyophilization, chromatography, and recrystallization.

A compound of formula (12a) in which Y is bromo undergoes a displacement reaction with an appropriate thio introducing reagent to give a compound of formula (12b) in which Y is protected thio substituent which gives rise upon deprotection and subsequent elaboration, if desired, the —SR₄ as desired in the final compound of formula (1). An appropriate thio introducing reagent may also be one which introduces a group —SR₄ as desired in the final compound of formula (1). For example, a solution of p-methoxybenzylmercaptan in a suitable organic solvent such as dimethylforrnamide is degassed and treated with a suitable base such as sodium hydride. After about 1 to 2 hours, a solution of a compound of formula (12a) in which Y is bromo is added. The reaction may benefit from the addition of a suitable catalyst, such as tetra-n-butylammonium iodide. The reaction mixture is carried out for 1 to 25 hours at temperatures ranging form 0° C. to about 100° C. The product can be isolated and purified by techniques well known in the art, such as extraction, evaporation, trituration, lyophilization, chromatography, and recrystallization.

In Reaction Scheme A, step 10, a compound of formula (12a) or (12b) in which Y is protected thio is selectively deprotected to give a compound of formula (13). Protected thio substituents include thioesters, such as thioacetyl or thiobenzoyl, thioethers, such as thiobenzyl, thio-4-methoxybenzyl, thiotriphenylmethyl, or thio-t-butyl, or unsymmetrical sulfides, such as dithioethyl or dithio-t-butyl. The use and selective removal of such thio protecting groups is well known and appreciated in the art and described in Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, Theodora W. Greene (Wiley-Interscience, 2nd Edition, 1991).

In Reaction Scheme A, step 11, a compound of formula (13) undergoes a modification reaction to give a compound of formula (14). Such modification reactions include, thiol esterification and disulfide formation.

Compounds of formula (14) in which R₄ is —C(O)R₁₀ or —C(O)—(CH₂)_(q)—X group can be synthesized by thiol esterifications according to techniques well known and appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,424,425, issued Jun. 13, 1995.

For example, in a thiol esterification a compound of formula (13) is contacted with about an equimolar amount of an appropriate acid, such as HO—C(O)R₁₀ or HO—C(O)—(CH₂)_(q)—X in the presence of a suitable coupling agent to give a compound of formula (13) in which R₄ is —C(O)R₁₀ or —C(O)—(CH₂)_(q)—X. The reaction is carried out in the presence of a coupling agent such as 2-fluoro-1-methylpyridinium p-toluenesulfate, (1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride), carbonyldiimidazole, (1-ethoxycarbonyl-2-ethoxy-1,2-dihydroquinoline, or diethylcyanophosphonate in a suitable aprotic solvent such as methylene chloride. The reaction is generally carried out at temperature of between −20° C. and the boiling point of the solvent. Generally, the reaction requires 1 to 24 hours. The product can be isolated and purified by techniques well known in the art, such as extraction, evaporation, trituration, lyophilization, chromatography, and recrystallization.

Compounds of formula (14) in which R₄ is a —S—G group can be synthesized according to techniques well known and appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, as disclosed in PCT Application No. WO 95/21839, published Aug. 17, 1995 and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,491,143, issued Feb. 13, 1996, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,731,306, issued Mar. 24, 1998, and Roques, B. P. et al., J. Med. Chem. 33, 2473-2481 (1992).

For example, in a disulfide formation a compound of formula (13) is contacted with an appropriate compound of formula (15).

An appropriate compound of formula (15) is one which gives G as is desired in the final product of formula (1) or gives rise upon deprotection to G as is desired in the final product of formula (1). In addition, the compound of formula (15) may have stereochemistry as desired in the final product of formula (1). The reaction is carried out in a suitable solvent, such as ethanol, methanol, dichloromethane, or mixtures of ethanol or methanol and dichloromethane. The solvent is degassed by passing a stream of nitrogen gas through it for 15 minutes before the reaction is carried out. The reaction is carried out using from 1.0 to 4.0 molar equivalents of an appropriate compound of formula (15). The reaction is carried out at temperatures of from 0° C. to the refluxing temperature of the solvent, with a temperature of 10° C. to 30° C. being preferred. The reaction generally requires from 1 to 48 hours. The product can be isolated by techniques well known in the art, such as extraction, evaporation, and precipitation and can be purified by chromatography and recrystallization.

In Reaction Scheme A, step 12, a compound of formula (12a) in which Y is hydroxy or bromo is displaced by an appropriate thiol, HSR₄, by the methods described in Reaction Scheme A, step 9, to give a compound of formula (14). In Reaction Scheme A, step 12, an appropriate thiol HSR₄ is one which gives R₄ as desired in the final product of formula (1) or gives rise to R₄ as desired in the final product of formula (1). Also in Reaction Scheme A, step 12, a compound of formula (12a) in which Y is bromo can be displaced by an appropriate thio ester, Ph₃S—C(O)—(CH₂)_(q)—X by techniques well known and appreciated in the art, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,424,425, issued Jun. 13, 1995.

In Reaction Scheme A, a compound of formula (12b), (13), or (14) is optionally deprotected to give a compound of formula (1). Such deprotection reactions are well known appreciated in the art and may include selective deprotections of protecting groups on A′, R₁, R₂, R₃, and R₄ if desired.

In Reaction Scheme B an intermediate of formula (12b) in which R_(3′) gives rise to R_(3″) and Y is a protected thio substituent or —SR₄ as desired in the final product of formula (1) gives a compound of formula (1).

In Reaction Scheme B, step 1, an appropriate compound of formula (12b) is deprotected, hydrolyzed, or reduced to give a compound of formula (15). In Reaction Scheme B, step 1, an appropriate compound of formula (12b) is one in which q is as desired in the final product of formula (1) and A′ is A, and R₁, and R₂ are as desired in the final product of formula (1) or give rise upon deprotection to A, R₁, and R₂ as desired. In Reaction Scheme B, step 1, an appropriate compound of formula (12b) is one in which R_(3′) gives rise to a compound of formula (15) in which R_(3″) is R₃ as desired in the fmal product of formula (1) or undergoes further derivitization (step 2) to give a compound of formula (16) in which R₃ is as desired in the final product of formula (1). In Reaction Scheme B, step 1, an appropriate compound of formula (12b) is one in which Y is —SR₄ as desired in the final compound of formula (1) or Y gives rise upon deprotection (step 3) and further functionalization (step 4) or deprotection (step 5) to give —SR₄, as desired, in the final product of formula (1). In Reaction Scheme B, the use of compounds of formula (12b) in which Y is a protected thio group, such as thioacetyl, thiobenzoyl, 4-methoxybenzylthiol or t-butylthiol is preferred.

For example, in a deprotection a compound of formula (12b) in which R_(3′) is —(CH₂)_(m)—W (phthalimido group) is contacted with a molar excess of hydrazine monohydrate to give a compound of formula (15) in which R_(3″) is —(CH₂)_(m)—NHR₈ in which R₈ is hydrogen. The reaction is typically carried out in a protic organic solvent, such as methanol or ethanol. The reaction is generally carried out at room temperature for a period of time ranging from 5-24 hours. The product can be isolated by techniques well known in the art, such as extraction, evaporation, and precipitation and can be purified by chromatography and recrystallization.

Alternately, for example, in a deprotection a compound of formula (12b) in which R_(3′) is —(CH₂)_(m)—NR₈-t-Boc is contacted with a molar excess of a suitable acid to give a compound of formula (15) in which R_(3″) is —(CH₂)_(m)—NHR₈. The reaction is typically carried out in a organic solvent, such as methanol, ethanol, ethyl acetate, diethyl ether, or dioxane. Suitable acids for this reaction are well known in the art, including hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, trifluoroacetic acid, and methanesulfonic acid. The reaction is generally carried out at temperatures from about 0° C. to about room temperature for a period of time ranging from 1-10 hours. The product can be isolated by techniques well known in the art, such as extraction, evaporation, and precipitation and can be purified by chromatography and recrystallization.

For example, in a hydrolysis a compound of formula (12b) in which R_(3′) is —(CH₂)_(m)—C(O)OPg₃ and Pg₃ is methyl or ethyl is contacted with about 1 to 2 molar equivalents of lithium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, or potassium hydroxide to give a compound of formula (15) in which R_(3″) is —(CH₂)_(m)—CO₂H. The reaction is carried out in a suitable solvent, such as methanol, ethanol methanol/water mixtures, ethanol/water mixtures, or tetrahydroflran/water mixtures and generally requires 1 to 24 hours. The reaction is carried out at temperatures of from about 0° C. to the refluxing temperature of the solvent. The resulting acid is isolated and purified by techniques well known in the art, such as acidification, extraction, evaporation, and precipitation and can be purified by trituration, precipitation, chromatography, and recrystallization.

For example, in a reduction a compound of formula (12b) in which R_(3′) is —(CH₂)_(m−1)—CO₂Pg₃ in which Pg₃ is methyl or ethyl is contacted with a suitable reducing agent, such as lithium borohydride, lithium aluminum hydride, diisobutylaluminum hydride, 9-borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane, preferably lithium borohydride to provide a compound of formula (15) in which R_(3″) is —(CH₂)_(m−1)—CH₂OH. The reaction is carried out in a suitable solvent, such as dichloromethane, tetrahydrofuran, or toluene, with tetrahydrofuran being preferred. The reaction is carried out at a temperature of from about −30° C. to about 50° C. and generally requires from 2 to 12 hours. The product can be isolated by quenching, extraction, evaporation, and precipitation and can be purified by trituration, chromatography, and recrystallization.

In Reaction Scheme B, step 2, a compound of formula (15) undergoes a derivitization reaction to give a compound of formula (16) in which R₃ is as desired in the final product of formula (1). Such derivitization reactions include hydrolysis of esters and ester formations as are well known in the art, ether formation, amine alkylation, formation of amides, urea formation, carbamate formation, and formation of sulfonamide.

For example, in an ether formation a compound of formula (15) in which R_(3″) is —(CH₂)_(m−1)—CH₂OH is contacted with 1 to 10 molar equivalents of a suitable alkylating agent to give a compound of formula (16) in which R₃ is —(CH₂)_(m)—Z—Q in which Z is —O—. A suitable alkylating agent is one which transfers Q or protected Q as desired in the final product of formula (1), such as benzyl bromide, benzyl chloride, substituted benzyl bromide, substituted benzyl chloride, ethyl bromoacetate, t-butyl bromoaceate, ethyl 3-chloropropionate, ethyl 3-bromopropionate, ethyl 5-bromovalerate, ethyl 4-bromobutyrate, 3-chloropropionamide, 2-bromoethylbenzene, substituted 2-bromoethylbenzene, 1-chloro-3-phenylpropane, 1-bromo-4-phenylbutane, and the like, or nitrogen mustards, including 2-dimethylaminoethyl chloride, 2-diethylaminoethyl chloride, and 3-dimethylaminopropyl chloride. The reaction is carried out in a suitable solvent, such as diethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, or acetonitrile and using a suitable base, such as sodium hydride, potassium hydride, potassium t-butoxide, and lithium diisopropylamide. The reaction is generally carried out at temperatures of −70° C. and room temperature and require from about 1-24 hours. The product can be isolated by techniques well known in the art, such as extraction, evaporation, and precipitation and can be purified by chromatography and recrystallization.

Alternately, as appreciated by those skilled in the art, an ether formation can also be carried out by a procedure similar to the one above using a compound of formula (15) in which R_(3″) is —(CH₂)_(m−1)—CH₂OH in which the hydroxy group is first converted to a leaving group, such as chloro, bromo, or mesylate and a suitable alcohol which transfers Q or protected Q as desired in the final product of formula (1), such as benzyl alcohol, substituted benzyl alcohol, phenol, substituted phenol, and the like. The conversion of hydroxy to leaving groups, such as chloro, bromo, and mesylate are well known and appreciated in the art.

For example, in an amine alkylation a compound of formula (15) in which R_(3″) is —(CH₂)_(m)—NHR₈ is contacted with 1 to 10 molar equivalents of a suitable alkylating agent to give a compound of formula (16) in which R₃ is —(CH₂)_(m)—Z—Q in which Z is —NR₈—. The reaction may be carried out after protection of the amine function of R_(3″) in which R₈ is hydrogen by a suitable protecting group, such as benzyl or t-Boc. For an amine alkylation a suitable alkylating agent is one as described above for the ether formation and also includes alkylhalides, such as methyl iodide, methyl bromide, ethyl bromide, propyl bromide, propyl chloride, butyl bromide, butyl chloride, and the like. The reaction is carried out in a suitable solvent, such as methanol, ethanol, dimethylformamide, or pyridine and using a suitable base, such as sodium carbonate, triethylamine, N,N-diisopropylethylamine or pyridine. The reaction is generally carried out at temperatures of room temperature to the refluxing temperature of the solvent and require from about 1-24 hours. The product can be isolated by techniques well known in the art, such as extraction, evaporation, and precipitation and can be purified by chromatography and recrystallization.

Alternately, for example, in an amine alkylation a compound of formula (15) in which R_(3″) is —(CH₂)_(m)—NHR₈ is contacted in a reductive alkylation with a suitable aldehyde to give a compound of formula (16) in which R₃ is —(CH₂)_(m)—Z—Q in which Z is —NR₈—. A suitable aldehyde is one which transfers Q or protected Q as desired in the final product of formula (1), such as benzaldehyde and substituted benzaldehydes. The reaction is carried out in a suitable solvent, such as methanol, ethanol, tetrahydrofuran, or mixtures of methanol or ethanol and tetrahydrofuran. The reaction may be carried out in the presence of a drying agent, such as sodium sulfate or molecular sieves. The reaction is carried out in the presence of from 1.0 to 6.0 molar equivalents of a suitable reducing agent, such as, sodium borohydride or sodium cyanoborohydride with sodium cyanoborohydride being preferred. It may be advantageous to maintain the pH in the range of about 4 to 6. The reaction is generally carried out at temperatures of from 0° C. to the refluxing temperature of the solvent. Generally, the reactions require 1 to 72 hours. The product can be isolated by techniques well known in the art, such as extraction, evaporation, and precipitation and can be purified by chromatography and recrystallization.

For example, in an amido formation a compound of formula (15) in which R_(3″) is is —(CH₂)_(m)—CO₂H is contacted with a suitable amine in an amide formation to give a compound of formula (16) in which R₃ is —(CH₂)_(m)—Z—Q in which Z is amido. Such amide formation reactions using carboxy activation or suitable coupling agents are well known in the art and described above. A suitable amine, HNR₈Q, gives rise to R₈ and Q as desired in the final product of formula (1), such as methylamine, ethylamine, propylamine, butylamine, N-methyl benzylamine, benzyl β-alanine, 4-(3-aminopropyl)morpholine, and the like.

For example, in an amide formation a compound of formula (15) in which R_(3″) is —(CH₂)_(m)—NHR₈ is contacted with a suitable carboxylic acid in an amide formation to give a compound of formula (16) in which R₃ is —(CH₂)_(m)—Z—Q in which Z is amide. Such amide formation reactions using carboxy activation or suitable coupling agents are well known in the art and described above. Suitable carboxylic acids, Q—C(O)—OH, are ones give rise to Q as desired in the final product of formula (1), such as benzoic acid, substituted benzoic acids, phenyl acetic acids, substituted phenylacetic acids, mono-t-butyl malonate, and the like.

For example, in a urea formation a compound of formula (15) in which R_(3″) is —(CH₂)_(m)—NHR₈ is contacted with an appropriate isocyanate, O═C═N—Q, to give a compound of formula (16) in which R₃ is —(CH₂)_(m)—Z—Q in which Z is urea. An appropriate isocyanate is one which gives rise to Q as desired in the final product, such as phenyl isocyanate, substituted phenyl isocyanate, naphthyl isocyanate, ethyl isocyanatoacetate, and the like. The reaction is carried out by adding an equivalent of, or a slight molar excess of, an appropriate isocyanate is added to a solution of a compound of formula (15) in which R_(3″) is —(CH₂)_(m)—NHR₈ in a suitable solvent, such as diethyl ether, benzene, or toluene. The reaction is carried out at temperature of from about 0° C. to the refluxing temperature of the solvent and require about 1-24 hours. The product can be isolated and purified by techniques well known in the art, such as filtration, extraction, evaporation, trituration, chromatography, and recrystallization.

For example, in an N-carbamoyl formation a compound of formula (15) in which R_(3″) is —(CH₂)_(m)—NHR₈ is contacted with an appropriate chloroformate to give a compound of formula (16) in which R₃ is —(CH₂)_(m)—Z—Q in which Z is N-carbamoyl. An appropriate chloroformate is one which gives rise to Q as desired in the final product of formula (1). Examples of chloroformates include benzyl chloroformate, naphthyl chloroformate, phenyl chloroformate, and substituted phenyl chloroformates, such as 4-chlorophenyl chloroformate, 4-methylphenyl chloroformate, 4-bromophenyl chloroformate, 4-fluorophenyl chloroformate, 4-methoxyphenyl chloroformate and the like. The reaction is carried out by adding an equivalent of, or a slight molar excess of, an appropriate chloro formate to a solution of a compound of formula (15) in which R_(3″) is —(CH₂)_(m)—NHR₈ in a suitable solvent, such as toluene, tetrahydrofuran, dimethylformamide, dichloromethane, pyridine, or chloroform. The reaction is carried out in the presence of an excess of a suitable base, such as triethylamine, sodium carbonate, potassium bicarbonate, pyridine or N,N-diisopropylethylamine. The reaction is carried out at a temperature of from −70° C. to the refluxing temperature of the solvent and generally requires from 30 minutes to 24 hours. The product can be isolated and purified by techniques well known in the art, such as extraction, evaporation, chromatography, and recrystallization.

For example, in an O-carbamoyl formation a compound of formula (15) in which R_(3″) is —(CH₂)_(m−1)—CH₂OH is contacted with an appropriate isocyanate, as defined above for urea formation, to give a compound of formula (16) in which R₃ is —(CH₂)_(m)—Z—Q in which Z is O-carbamoyl. The reaction is carried out in a suitable solvent, such as diethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, dimethylformamide, or acetonitrile. The reaction may be facilitated by the use of catalytic amount of a suitable base, such as sodium hydride, potassium hydride, or potassium t-butoxide. The reaction is generally carried out at temperatures of from −20° C. to room temperature and require from about 1-24 hours. The product can be isolated by techniques well known in the art, such as extraction, evaporation, and precipitation and can be purified by chromatography and recrystallization.

For example, in a sulfonamide formation to prepare a compound in which R₃ is —(CH₂)_(m)—NR_(8′)SO₂—Y₁, a compound of formula (15) in which R_(3″) is —(CH₂)_(m)—NHR₈ is contacted with an appropriate sulfonamide forming reagent. An appropriate sulfonamide forming reagent, such as a sulfonyl chloride, Y₁S(O)₂Cl, or sulfonyl anhydride, Y₁(O)₂S—O—S(O)₂ Y₁, is one which gives rise to Y₁ as desired in the final product. Examples of appropriate sulfonamide forming reagents are, benzenesulfonyl chloride, dansyl chloride, N-morpholinylsulfonyl chloride, N-piperidinylsulfonyl chloride, 2,4,5-trichlorobenzenesulfonyl chloride, 2,5-dichlorobenzenesulfonyl chloride, 2,4,6-triisopropylbenzenesulfonyl chloride, 2-mesitylenesulfonyl chloride, 4-bromobenzenesulfonyl chloride, 4-fluorobenzenesulfonyl chloride, 4-chlorobenzenesulfonyl chloride, 4-methoxybenzenesulfonyl chloride, 4-t-butylbenzenesulfonyl chloride, p-toluenesulfonyl chloride, 2,3,4-trichlorobenzenesulfonyl chloride, 2,5-dimethoxybenzenesulfonyl chloride, 4-ethylbenzenesulfonyl chloride, 3,4-dimethoxybenzenesulfonyl chloride, 2,6-dichlorobenzenesulfonyl chloride, 3-bromobenzenesulfonyl chloride, 4-n-butylbenzenesulfonyl chloride, benzenesulfonic anhydride, 4-toluenesulfonic anhydride, and 2-mesitylenesulfonic anhydride. The reaction is carried out in a suitable solvent, such as tetrahydrofuran, dichloromethane, pyridine, or chloroform and in the presence of an excess of a suitable base, such as triethylamine, sodium carbonate, pyridine, or N,N-diisopropylethylamine. The reaction is carried out at a temperature of from −50° C. to the refluxing temperature of the solvent. The reaction generally requires from 30 minutes to 24 hours. The product can be isolated and purified by techniques well known in the art, such as extraction, evaporation, chromatography, and recrystallization.

In Reaction Scheme B, optional step 3, a compound of formula (16) in which R₃ is as desired in the final product of formula (1) undergoes a selective thiol deprotection to give a compound of formula (17). Such selective thiol deprotections using suitable protecting groups are well known and appreciated in the art as discussed in Reaction Scheme A, step 10, above.

In Reaction Scheme B, step 4, a compound of formula (17) undergoes a modification reaction as described in Reaction Scheme A, step 11, above, to give a compound of formula (18).

In Reaction Scheme B, optional step 5, a compound of formula (16), (17), or (18) is deprotected to give a compound of formula (1) as discussed in Reaction Scheme A, above.

Alternate routes for preparing the compounds of formula (11) in which Y is bromo are presented in Reaction Schemes C.1 and C.2.

In Reaction Scheme C.1, an appropriate α-amino carboxylic acid of formula (20) is deaminobrominated to give a compound of formula (11) in which Y is bromo. An appropriate α-amino carboxylic acid of formula (20), and protected forms thereof, is one which is one in which R_(3′) is as described above in Reaction Scheme A, step 8, above. In addition, α-amino carboxylic acid of formula (20) may also be one in which the stereochemistry at the R_(3′) bearing carbon gives rise after displacement to the stereochemistry as desired at that carbon in the final product of formula (1). Such appropriate α-amino carboxylic acid of formula (20), are commercially available or may be readily prepared by techniques and procedures well known and appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art. For example, L-alanine, D-alanine, L-valine, D-valine, D-norvaline, L-leucine, D-leucine, D-isoleucine, D-tert-leucine, glycine, L-glutamic acid, D-glutamic acid, L-glutamine, D-glutamine, L-lysine, D-lysine, L-ornithine, D-ornithine, (D)-(−)-2-aminobutyric acid, D-threonine, D-homoserine, D-allothreonine, D-serine, D-2-aminoadipic acid, D-aspartic acid, D-glutamic acid, D-lysine hydrate, 2,3-diaminopropionic acid monohydrobromide, D-ornithine hydrochloride, D,L-2,4-diaminobutyric acid dihydrochloride, L-meta-tyrosine, D-4-hydroxyphenylglycine, D-tyrosine, L-phenylalanine, D-phenylalanine, D,L-2-fluorophenylalanine, beta-methyl-D,L-phenylalanine hydrochloride, D,L-3-fluorophenylalanine, 4-bromo-D,L-phenylalanine, L-phenylalanine, L-phenylglycine, D-phenylglycine, D,L-4-fluorophenylalanine, 4-iodo-D-phenylalanine, D-homophenylalanine, D,L-2-fluorophenylglycine, D,L-4-chlorophenylalanine, and the like, are all commercially available and the methods in D. A. Evans, et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc., 112, 4011-4030 (1990); S. Ikegami et al. Tetrahedron, 44, 5333-5342 (1988); W. Oppolzer et al. Tet. Lets. 30, 6009-6010 (1989); Synthesis of Optically Active α-Amino-Acids, R. M. Williams (Pergamon Press, Oxford 1989); M. J. O'Donnell ed.: α-Amino-Acid Synthesis, Tetrahedron Symposia in print, No. 33, Tetrahedron 44, No. 17 (1988); U. Schöllkopf, PureAppl. Chem. 55, 1799 (1983); U. Hengartner et al. J. Org. Chem., 44, 3748-3752 (1979); M. J. O'Donnell et al. Tet. Lets., 2641-2644 (1978); M. J. O'Donnell et al. Tet. Lets. 23, 4255-4258 (1982); M. J. O'Donnell et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc., 110, 8520-8525 (1988).

The deaminobromination described in Reaction Scheme C.1 can be performed utilizing conditions described in Compagnone, R. S. and Rapoport, H., J. Org. Chem., 51, 1713-1719 (1986); U.S. Pat. No. 5,322,942, issued Jun. 21, 1994; Overberger, C. G. and Cho, I., J. Org. Chem., 33, 3321-3322 (1968); or Pfister, K. et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 71, 1096-1100 (1949).

For example, an α-amino carboxylic acid of formula (20) and a suitable bromide, such as hydrogen bromide or potassium bromide in acidic solution, such as sulfuric acid, is treated with sodium nitrite. The reaction temperature is carried out a temperatures of from about −25° C. to about ambient temperature and require about 1 to 5 hours. The product can be isolated and purified by techniques well known in the art, such as acidification, extraction, evaporation, chromatography, and recrystallization to give the compound of formula (11)in which Y is bromo. The product can be isolated and purified by techniques well known and appreciated in the art, such as acidification, basification, filtration, extraction, evaporation, trituration, chromatography, and recrystallization.

In Reaction Scheme C.2, an appropriate carboxylic acid of formula (21) is brominated to give compound of formula (11) in which Y is bromo. An appropriate carboxylic acid of formula (21), and protected forms thereof, is one which is one in which R_(3′) is as defined in Reaction Scheme A, step 8, above. In addition, carboxylic acid of formula (21) may also be one in which the stereochemistry at the R_(3′) bearing carbon gives rise after displacement to the stereochemistry as desired at that carbon in the final product of formula (1).

For example, a mixture of a carboxylic acid of formula (21) and dry red phosphorous are treated dropwise with bromine at temperature ranging from about −20° to about 10° C. The reaction mixture is then warmed to room temperature and then heated to about 80° C. for about 2-5 hours. The reaction mixture is then cooled to room temperature, poured into water containing sodium bisulfite, and neutralized using solid sodium carbonate. The aqueous layer is extracted and acidified with a suitable acid, such as concentrated hydrochloric acid. The precipitate is collected by filtration and dried to give the compound of formula (11) in which Y is bromo. The product can be isolated and purified by techniques well known and appreciated in the art, such as acidification, basification, filtration, extraction, evaporation, trituration, chromatography, and recrystallization.

Compounds of formula (20) and (21) in which R_(3′) is a —(CH₂)_(m)—W for use in Reaction Schemes C.1 and C.2 are prepared according to Reaction Scheme D.1 and D.2.

In Reaction Scheme D.1 an appropriate ω-amino carboxylic acid of formula (22) is converted to an compound of formula (21) in which R_(3′) is W—(CH₂)_(m)—. An appropriate ω-amino carboxylic acid of formula (11) is one in which m is as desired in the final product of formula (1) and are readily available in the art. For example, the reaction is carried out in a suitable polar solvent, such as water, ethanol, diethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, or a water/ethereal solvent mixture using a suitable base, such as sodium carbonate and N-carbethoxyphthalimide. The reaction mixture is typically stirred at about ambient temperature for 1-5 hours. The product can be isolated and purified by techniques well known in the art, such as acidification, extraction, evaporation, chromatography, and recrystallization to give the desired compound of formula (21) in which R_(3′) is W—(CH₂)_(m)—.

Reaction Scheme D.2, step 1, an appropriate α,ω-diamino acid of formula (23) undergoes a selective N-α-protection to give an N-α-protected-ω-diamino acid of formula (24). An appropriate α,ω-diamino acid of formula (23) is one in which m is as desired in the final product of formula (1).

For example, a selective N-α-protection of a suitable α,ω-diamino acid, such as L-lysine (formula (23) in which m is 4), is accomplished by masking the ω-amino group by formation of a benzylidene imine. The benzylidene imine is formed by dissolving L-lysine monohydrochloride in lithium hydroxide and cooling the solution to a temperature ranging from about 0° to 10° C. Freshly distilled benzaldehyde is then added and the solution is shaken. N-ω-benzylidene-L-lysine is recovered by filtration and evaporation. The α-amino group of the N-ω-benzylidene-L-lysine then undergoes protection, such as the introduction of a Cbz or t-Boc group, followed by hydrolytic cleavage of the imine in situ to give N-α-benzyloxy-carbonyl-L-lysine. Accordingly, N-ω-benzylidene-L-lysine is added to a mixture of sodium hydroxide and ethanol, cooled to a temperature of from about −5° to about −25° C. Then, precooled solutions of benzyloxycarbonyl chloride in a solvent, such as ethanol, is added to the reaction mixture. The temperature is maintained in a range of from about −10° to about −25° C. during the course of addition, and may allowed to rise afterwards. The reaction mixture is then acidified using a suitable acid, such as precooled hydrochloric acid, and N-α-benzyloxycarbonyl-L-lysine, which corresponds to formula (24) where m is 4, is recovered by filtration evaporate and recrystallization.

In Reaction Scheme D.2, step 2, N-α-benzyloxycarbonyl-L-lysine or other compounds of formula (24) is converted to ω-phthalimido-α-benzyloxycarbonyl-L-lysine or other ω-phthalimido-α-aminoprotected carboxylic acid of formula (25) by the method described in Reaction Scheme D.1, above.

In Reaction Scheme D.2, step 3, the ω-phthalimido-α-aminoprotected carboxylic acid of formula (25) is deprotected to give compound of formula (20) in which R_(3′) is W—(CH₂)_(m)—.

For example, ω-phthalimido-α-benzyloxycarbonyl-L-lysine is contacted with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst, such as 10% palladium/carbon. The reactants are typically contacted in a suitable solvent mixture such as ethanol, methanol, water, ethanol/water mixtures, or methanol/water mixtures. The reactants are typically shaken under a hydrogen atmosphere of 35-45 psi at room temperature for a period of time ranging from 5-24 hours. The product is typically recovered by filtration and evaporation of the solvent.

A route for preparing the compounds of formula (11) in which Y is protected thio is presented in Reaction Scheme F. The reagents and starting materials are readily available to one of ordinary skill in the art. In Reaction Scheme H all substituents, unless otherwise indicated, are as previously defined.

In Reaction Scheme F, step 1, a bromoacetate of formula (26) is contacted with an appropriate thiol to give a protected acetic acid ester of formula (27). In a bromoacetate of formula (26) Pg₅ is a protecting group, such as methyl, ethyl, t-butyl, and benzyl. An appropriate thiol is one which gives rise to a protected thio group, Y, in the product of formula (11). The use of 4-methoxybenzylmercaptan is preferred.

For example, a bromoacetate of formula (26) is contacted with an appropriate thiol in a suitable organic solvent, such as dimethylformamide. Advantageously, the solvent is degassed. The reaction is carried out using a suitable base, such as sodium hydroxide, triethylamine, or N,N-diisopropylethylamine. The reaction is carried out at temperatures of from about −50° to about ambient temperature and requires about 1 to 72 hours. The protected acetic acid ester of formula (27) can be isolated and purified by methods well known and appreciated in the art, such as extraction, evaporation, chromatography, and distillation, and recrystallization.

In Reaction Scheme F, step 2, the protected acetic acid ester of formula (27) is alkylated with an appropriate alkylating agent to give a compound of formula (28). In Reaction Scheme F, step 2, an appropriate alkylating agent is one which transfers R_(3′) which is R₃ as desired in the final product of formula (1) or gives rise after deprotection to R₃ as desired in the final product of formula (1) or gives rise to R_(3″) as defined in Reaction Scheme B, step 1. Appropriate alkylating agents include alkylhalides, such as methyl iodide, methyl bromide, ethyl bromide, propyl bromide, propyl chloride, butyl bromide, butyl chloride, and the like; benzyl bromide, benzyl chloride, substituted benzyl bromide, substituted benzyl chloride, ethyl bromoacetate, t-butyl bromoaceate, ethyl 3-chloropropionate, ethyl 3-bromopropionate, ethyl 5-bromovalerate, ethyl 4-bromobutyrate, 3-chloropropionamide, 2-bromoethylbenzene, substituted 2-bromoethylbenzene, 1-chloro-3-phenylpropane, 1-bromo-4-phenylbutane, and the like, N-(2-bromoethyl)phthalimide, N-(3-bromopropyl)phthalimide, N-(4-bromobutyl)phthalimide, and the like; 1-bromo-2-phenylethane, 1-bromo-3-phenylpropane, 1-bromo-4-phenylbutane, and the like.

For example, a protected acetic acid ester of formula (27) is alkylated with an appropriate alkylating agent. The reaction is carried out in a suitable solvent, such as diethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, dimethylformamide, and toluene using a suitable base, such as sodium hydride, potassium hydride, potassium t-butoxide, lithium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide, sodium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide, potassium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide, or lithium diisopropylamide. The reaction is generally carried out at temperatures of about −70° C. to about room temperature and require from about 1-24 hours. The product can be isolated by techniques well known in the art, such as extraction, evaporation, and precipitation and can be purified by chromatography and recrystallization.

In Reaction Scheme F, step 3, the compound of formula (28) the carboxy protecting group Pg₅ is selectively removed to give a compound of formula (11) in which Y is protected thio. Such deprotection of esters to acids in the presence of suitable thio protecting groups are well known and appreciated in the art.

The following examples present typical syntheses as described in the Reaction Schemes above. These examples and preparations are understood to be illustrative only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

PREPARATION 1

Synthesis of 2-bromo-6-phthalimidohexanoic acid

Combine 6-aminohexanoic acid (6-aminocaproic acid) (8.0 g, 60 mmol) and water (100 mL). Add sodium carbonate (6.84 g, 64 mmol) and N-carbethoxyphthalimide (14.0 g, 64 mmol). After 1.5 hours, extract the reaction mixture with ethyl acetate (100 mL). Cool the aqueous layer in an ice bath and acidify using concentrated hydrochloric acid to give a solid. Collect the solid by filtration, rinse with water, and dry to give 6-phthalimidohexanoic acid (12.7 g, 80% yield).

Combine 6-phthalimidohexanoic acid (12.7 g, 48 mmol) and dry red phosphorous (1.95 g, 63 mmol). Cool in an ice bath and add dropwise bromine (12.7 mL, 246 mmol). Warm to room temperature and then heat to 80° C. After 3 hours, cool the reaction mixture to ambient temperature, pour into water (300 mL) containing sodium bisulfite, and neutralize using solid sodium bicarbonate and extract with diethyl ether (about 150 mL). Acidify the aqueous layer with concentrated hydrochloric acid give a solid. Collect the solid by filtration and dry to give the title compound (15 g, 91.5% yield, 73.2% for both steps).

PREPARATION 2

Synthesis of (R)-2-bromo-6-phthalimidohexanoic acid

Combine (R)-2-N-carbobenzyloxy-6-aminohexanoic acid ((R)—Na—Cbz-lysine) (14.0 g, 50 mmol) and water (500 mL). Add sodium carbonate (5.65 g, 53 mmol) and N-carbethoxyphthalimide (13.15 g, 60 mmol). After 1.5 hours, acidify using concentrated hydrochloric acid to give a solid. Collect the solid by filtration, rinse with water, and dry to give (R)-2-N-carbobenzyloxy-6-phthalamnidohexanoic acid.

Combine (R)-2-N-carbobenzyloxy-6-phthalamidohexanoic acid obtained above, methanol (200 mL), 10% palladium-on-carbon (1 g) and treat with hydrogen at atmospheric pressure. After 18 hours, filter, add to the filtrate a solution of hydrochloric acid in methanol (50 mL, 1 M, 50 mmol), and evaporate in vacuo to give (R)-2-amino-6-phthalamidohexanoic acid hydrochloric acid salt.

Combine (R)-2-amino-6-phthalamidohexanoic acid hydrochloric acid salt (12.5 g, 40 mmol) and a 2.5 M aqueous sulfuric acid solution (40 mL). Cool in a salt-ice bath. Add 49% aqueous hydrobromic acid solution (13.2 g). Add dropwise over about 20 minutes, an aqueous solution of sodium nitrite (2.8 g, 40 mmol, in 20 mL of water). After 3 hours, wann to ambient temperature. After 18 hours, collect the resultant solid by filtration, rinse with water and dry in vacuo to give a residue. Chromatograph the residue on silica gel eluting with 1/1 ethyl acetate/dichloromethane containing 5% acetic acid to give the title compound.

PREPARATION 3

Synthesis of (L)-phenylalanine-N-methyl amide trifluoroacetic acid salt

Combine t-Boc-(L)-phenylalanine (8.00 g, 30.2 mmol) and tetrahydrofuran (20 mL). Cool to about −30° C. and add sequentially N-methylmorpholine (3.5 mL, 32 mmol) and then isobutyl chloroformate (4.5 mL, 35 mmol). After 10 minutes, add 40% aqueous methylamine (13 mL, 380 mmol). After 2 hours, concentrate the reaction mixture in vacuo, combine the evaporated reaction mixture and dichloromethane (125 mL) and extract with an aqueous 1M hydrochloric acid solution and then a saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution. Dry the organic layer over Na₂SO₄, filter, and evaporate in vacuo to give t-Boc-(L)-phenylalanine-N-methyl amide, which is used without further purification.

Combine t-Boc-(L)-phenylalanine-N-methyl amide (8.4 g, 30 mmol), methylene chloride (100 mL), and trifluoroacetic acid (20 mL). After 3 hours, evaporate in vacuo to give a residue. Repeatedly, combine the residue and carbon tetrachloride and toluene remove residual trifluoroacetic acid by coevaporation and evaporate in vacuo to give a residue. Triturate the residue with diethyl ether to yield the title compound as a solid (9.12 g, 100%).

EXAMPLE 1

3-((S)-2-mercapto-6-phthalamidohexamido)-3-phenethyl-1-((S)-1-methylcarbamoyl-2-phenylethyl)pyrrolidin-2-one

1.1 Synthesis of 4-phenethyl-3-(carbobenzyloxy)oxazolidin-5-one

Combine N-(carbobenzyloxy)-(L)-homophenylalanine (5.00 g. 16.0 mmol) and paraformaldehyde (1.44 g, 48.0 mmol) in toluene (75 mL). Add p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate (300 mg). Heat at reflux using a Dean-Stark trap to remove water. After 45 minutes, cool the reaction mixture. Concentrate the cooled reaction mixture in vacuo to give a residue. Partition the residue between methyl t-butyl ether (150 mL) and a mixture of saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution and brine (1/1=50 mL). Separate the organic layer, dry over Na₂SO₄, filter, and concentrated in vacuo to give the title compound (5.18 g, 100%).

1.2 Synthesis of 4-phenethyl-4-allyl-3-(carbobenzyloxy)oxazolidin-5-one

Combine a solution of 4-phenethyl-3-(carbobenzyloxy)oxazolidin-5-one (5.18 g, 15.9 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (100 mL). Cool in a dry-ice/acetone bath. Add dropwise a solution potassium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide (35 mL, 1.5 mmol, 0.5 M in toluene). After 1 hour, add allyl bromide (2.1 mL, 24 mmol). Warm gradually to ambient temperature. After 18 hours, pour the reaction mixture into a saturated aqueous ammonium chloride solution (50 mL) and extracted with methyl t-butyl ether (125 mL). Dry the organic layer over Na₂SO₄, filter, and evaporate in vacuo to give a residue. Chromatograph the residue on silica gel eluting sequentially with 2/1 hexane/ethyl acetate then 1/1 hexane/ethyl acetate to give the title compound (2.6 g, 45%).

1.3 Synthesis of 3-phenyl-1-allyl-1-methoxycarbonyl-1-(N-(carbobenzyloxy)-amino)propane

Combine 4-phenethyl-4-allyl-3-(carbobenzyloxy)oxazolidin-5-one (2.6 g, 7.1 mmol), sodium hydroxide (0.80 g, 20 mmol), and ethanol (50 mL)/water (10 mL). Heat at reflux. After 45 minutes, cool the reaction mixture, concentrate in vacuo to remove the ethanol, and acidify to about pH of 1 using 6 M aqueous hydrochloric acid solution. Extracted with methyl t-butyl ether (2×125 mL). Extract the organic layer with brine (75 mL), dry over Na₂SO₄, filter, and concentrate in vacuo to give the crude acid. Dissolve he crude acid in methanol (24 mL)/tetrahydrofuran (8 mL) and add a solution of (trimethylsilyl)diazomethane (12 mL, 24 mmol, 2.0M IN hexane). After 19 hours, evaporate in vacuo to give a residue. Chromatograph the residue on silica gel eluting sequentially with 6/1 hexane/ethyl acetate then 4/1 hexane/ethyl acetate to give the title compound (1.62 g, 62%).

1.4 Synthesis of 3-phenyl-1-(2-oxoethyl)-1-methoxycarbonyl-1-(N-(carbobenzyloxy)amino)propane

Combine 3-phenyl-1-allyl-1-methoxycarbonyl-1-(N-(carbobenzyloxy)amino)propane (1.52 g, 4.14 mmol) and dichloromethane (60 mL)/methanol (6 mL). Cool in a dry-ice/acetone bath and bubble with ozone until a blue color persists. Purge excess ozone by bubbling argon through the reaction mixture for about 20 minutes. Add dimethyl sulfide (6 mL, 82 mmol) and allow to warm gradually to ambient temperature. After 18 hours, dilute with dichloromethane (75 mL), extract with brine (50 mL), and dry the organic layer over Na₂SO₄, filter, and evaporate in vacuo to give a residue. Chromatography the residue eluting sequentially with 98/2 dichloromethane/ethyl acetate and then 95/5 dichloromethane/ethyl acetate to give the title compound (580 mg, 38%) and the corresponding dimethyl acetal (650 mg). Combine the acetal and tetrahydrofiran (10 mL)/10% aqueous hydrochloric acid solution (10 mL). After 3 hours, evaporate in vacuo to remove the tetrahydrofuran and extract the aqueous mixture with methyl t-butyl ether (50 mL). Extract the organic layer with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate (15 mL), dry over Na₂SO₄, filter, and concentrate in vacuo to give a residue. Chromatograph the residue on silica gel eluting with 95/5 dichloromethane/ethyl acetate to give additional title compound (430 mg, 28%).

1.5 Synthesis of 3-phenyl-1-(2-((S)-1-methylcarbamoyl-2-phenylethylamino)ethyl)-1-methoxycarbonyl-1-(N-(carbobenzyloxy)amino)propane

Combine 3-phenyl-1-(2-oxoethyl)-1-methoxycarbonyl-1-(N-(carbobenzyloxy)amino)propane (1.01 g, 2.73 mmol) and (L)-phenylalanine-N-methyl amide trifluoroacetic acid salt (2.40 g, 8.20 mmol) in methanol (28 mL). Add powdered activated 3 Å sieves (2.0 g). After 30 minutes, add a solution of sodium cyanoborohydride (1.8 mL, 1.8 mmol, 1.0M IN tetrahydrofuran). After 4 hours, filter the reaction mixture through Celite and concentrate in vacuo to give a residue. Dissolve the residue in dichloromethane (125 mL) and extract with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate/brine (1/1=40 mL). Dry the organic layer over Na₂SO₄, filter, and evaporate in vacuo to give a residue. Chromatograph the residue on silica gel eluting sequentially with 3/2 hexane/ethyl acetate and then 1/2 hexane/ethyl acetate to give the title compound (1.24 g, 85%).

1.6 Synthesis of 3-(N-(carbobenzyloxy)amino)-3-phenethyl-1-((S)-1-methylcarbamoyl-2-phenylethyl)pyrrolidin-2-one

Combine 3-phenyl-1-(2-((S)-1-methylcarbamoyl-2-phenylethylamino)ethyl)-1-methoxycarbonyl-1-(N-(carbobenzyloxy)amino)propane (1.24 g, 2.33 nmuol), and 1-hydroxybenztriazole hydrate (315 mg, 2.33 mmol), and dimethoxyethane (12.5 mL)/toluene (12.5 mL). Heated at 100° C. in a resealable tube. After 7 hours, cool the reaction mixture to ambient temperature, concentrate in vacuo, and passed through a plug of silica gel eluting with 1/1 hexane/ethyl acetate. Concentrate the product containing fractions to give a residue. Dissolve the residue in chloroform and combine with Celite (3 g)/silica gel (0.3 g) and purify by chromatography on silica gel eluting sequentially with 3/2 hexane/ethyl acetate and then 2/3 hexane/ethyl acetate) to give the title compound (1.20 g, 103%).

1.7 Synthesis of 3-amino-3-phenethyl-1-((S)-1-methylcarbamoyl-2-phenylethyl)pyrrolidin-2-one

Combine 3-((S)-3-(N-(carbobenzyloxy)amino)-3-phenethyl-1-((S)-1-methylcarbamoyl-2-phenylethyl)pyrrolidin-2-one (945 mg, 1.89 mmol) and methanol (20 mL)/ethyl acetate (10 mL). Degas by repeated cycles of vacuum and filling with nitrogen gas. Add 10% palladium-on-carbon (900 mg) and degassed again. Introduce a hydrogen atmosphere via a balloon. After 20 hours, subject the reaction vessel to vacuum and purge with nitrogen gas, filter through Celite, and concentrate in vacuo to give the title compound (664 mg, 96%).

1.8 Synthesis of 3-((R)-2-bromo-6-phthalamidohexamido)-3-phenethyl-1-((S)-1-methylcarbamoyl-2-phenylethyl)pyrrolidin-2-one

Combine (S)-3-amino-3-phenethyl-1-((S)-1-methylcarbamoyl-2-phenylethyl)pyrrolidin-2-one (225 mg, 0.616 nmmol), (R)-2-bromo-6-phthalimidohexanoic acid (420 mg, 1.23 mmol), N-methylmorpholine (0.21 mL, 1.91 mmol), and O-azabenztriazoyl-N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyluronium hexafluorophosphate (HATU, 468 mg, 1.23 mmol) in dimethylformamide (4.5 mL). After 24 hours, dilute the reaction mixture with brine (15 mL) and extract with ethyl acetate (125 mL). Extract the organic layer with 5% aqueous sulfuric acid solution (20 mL) and then saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate/brine (1/1=20 mL), dry over Na₂SO₄, and concentrate in vacuo. Pass the concentrated extract through a plug of silica gel eluting with 1/4 hexane/ethyl acetate. Separate the epimers by radial chromatography on silica gel eluting with a gradient of 1/1 to 1/2 hexane/ethyl acetate to give a faster eluting epimer of the title compound (112 mg, 26%) and a slower eluting epimer of the title compound (187 mg, 44%).

1.9.1 Synthesis of (S)-3-((S)-2-(p-methoxybenzylthio)-6-phthalamidohexamido)-3-phenethyl-1-((S)-1-methylcarbamoyl-2-phenylethyl)pyrrolidin-2-one

Combine (S)-3-((R)-2-bromo-6-phthalamidohexamido)-3-phenethyl-1-((S)-1-methylcarbamoyl-2-phenylethyl)pyrrolidin-2-one (the fast eluting epimer from Example 1.8) (112 mg, 0.163 mmol) and p-methoxybenzyl-mercaptan (0.06 mL, 0.43 mmol) in dry dimethylformamide (3 mL). Degas by repeated cycles of vacuum and filling with nitrogen gas. Add cesium carbonate (70 mg, 0.21 mmol). After 18 hours, add water (10 mL) and extract the diluted reaction mixture with ethyl acetate (75 mL). Extract the organic layer with brine (20 mL), dry over Na₂SO₄, filter, and concentrate in vacuo to give a residue. Chromatograph the residue eluting sequentially with 1/1 hexane/ethyl acetate and then 1/2 hexane/ethyl acetate) to give the title compound (76 mg, 61%).

1.9.2 Synthesis of (R)-3-((S)-2-(p-methoxybenzylthio)-6-phthalamidohexamido)-3-phenethyl-1-((S)-1-methylcarbamoyl-2-phenylethyl)pyrrolidin-2-one

Combine (R)-3-((R)-2-bromo-6-phthalamidohexamido)-3-phenethyl-1-((S)-1-methylcarbamoyl-2-phenylethyl)pyrrolidin-2-one (the slow eluting epimer from Example 1.8) (187 mg, 0.272 mmol) and p-methoxybenzyl-mercaptan (0.10 mL, 0.72 mmol) in dimethylformamide (3 mL). Degas by repeated cycles of vacuum and filling with nitrogen gas. Add cesium carbonate(116 mg, 0.354 mmol). After 19 hours, add water (10 mL) and extract with ethyl acetate (75 mL). Extract the organic layer with brine (20 mL), dry over Na₂SO₄, filter, and concentrate in vacuo to give a residue. Chromatograph the residue eluting sequentially with 2/3 hexane/ethyl acetate and then 1/2 hexane/ethyl acetate) to give the title compound (188 mg, 91%).

1.10.1 Synthesis of (S)-3-((S)-2-mercapto-6-phthalamidohexamido)-3-phenethyl-1-((S)-1-methylcarbamoyl-2-phenylethyl)pyrrolidin-2-one

Combine (S)-3-((S)-2-(p-methoxybenzylthio)-6-phthalamidohexamido)-3-phenethyl-1-((S)-1-methylcarbamoyl-2-phenylethyl)pyrrolidin-2-one (76 mg, 0.10 mmol), mercuric acetate (40 mg, 0.125 mmol), and anisole (0.11 mL, 1.0 mmol) in dichloromethane (3 mL). Add trifluoroacetic acid (1.25 mL). After 3 hours, bubble hydrogen disulfide gas through the reaction mixture for about 15 minutes to give a black precipitate. Remove the precipitate by filtration and rise with dichloromethane. Evaporate the filtrate in vacuo and remove residual trifluoroacetic acid by coevaporation with carbon tetrachloride to give a residue. Chromatograph the residue eluting sequentially with 1/1 hexane/ethyl acetate and then 1/2 hexane/ethyl acetate to give the title compound (44 mg, 69%). IR. (KBr) 694, 719, 750, 1284, 1373, 1398, 1431, 1553, 1630, 1669, 1699, 3285 cm⁻¹; ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃) d 24.1, 26.6, 27.9, 28.6, 28.9, 33.5, 34.7, 37.4, 38.2, 39.9, 43.0, 55.5, 60.9, 123.2, 126.2, 126.7, 128.36, 128.42, 128.44, 128.5, 132.1, 133.9, 137.3, 140.5, 168.4, 169.6, 172.3, 172.8. MS Calculated for C₃₆H₄₀N₄O₅S=640.8. Found (M+H)+=641.

1.10.2 Synthesis of (R)-3-((S)-2-mercapto-6-phthalamidohexamido)-3-phenethyl-1-((S)-1-methylcarbamoyl-2-phenylethyl)pyrrolidin-2-one

Combine (R)-3-((S)-2-(p-methoxybenzylthio)-6-phthalamidohexamido)-3-phenethyl-1-((S)-1-methylcarbamoyl-2-phenylethyl)pyrrolidin-2-one (188 mg, 0.247 mmol), mercuric acetate (98 mg, 0.31 mmol), and anisole (0.27 mL, 2.5 mmol) in dichloromethane (8 mL). Cool in an ice bath and degas by repeated cycles of vacuum and filling with nitrogen. Add trifluoroacetic acid (3.5 mL). After 3.5 hours, bubble hydrogen disulfide gas through the reaction mixture for about 15 minutes to give a black precipitate. Remove the precipitate by filtration and rinse with dichloromethane. Evaporate the filtrate in vacuo and remove residual trifluoroacetic acid by coevaporation with carbon tetrachloride to give a residue. Chromatograph the residue eluting sequentially with 1/1 hexane/ethyl acetate and then 1/2 hexane/ethyl acetate to give the title compound (84 mg, 53%). IR (KBr) 702, 721, 754, 1292, 1366, 1398, 1438, 1454, 1497, 1549, 1657, 1709, 1771, 2942, 3331 cm⁻¹; ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃) d 24.1, 26.4, 27.9, 29.3, 30.0, 33.9, 34.8, 37.0, 37.5, 42.7, 46.0, 61.5, 62.1, 123.2, 126.4, 126.6, 128.40, 128.42, 128.7, 129.0, 132.1, 133.9, 138.2, 140.6, 168.4, 169.2, 172.6, 172.8. MS Calculated for C₃₆H₄₀N₄O₅S=640.8. Found (M+H)⁺=641.

EXAMPLE 2

(S)-3-((S)-2-mercapto-6-(pyrid-4-ylcarbonylamino)hexamido)-3-phenethyl-1-((S)-1-methylcarbamoyl-2-phenylethyl)pyrrolidin-2-one

2.1 Synthesis of (S)-3-((S)-2-(p-methoxybenzylthio)-6-aminohexamido)-3-phenethyl-1-((S)-1-methylcarbamoyl-2-phenylethyl)pyrrolidin-2-one

Combine (S)-3-((R)-2-(p-methyoxybenzylthio)-6-phthalamidohexamido)-3-phenethyl-1-((S)-1-methylcarbamoyl-2-phenylethyl)pyrrolidin-2-one (327 mg, 0.430 mmol) and a solution of hydrazine monohydrate (0.86 mL, 0.86 mmol, 1.0 M in methanol), and methanol (4 mL). After 3.5 days, filter the reaction mixture through Celite and concentrate in vacuo to give a the title compound.

2.2 Synthesis of (S)-3-((S)-2-(p-methoxybenzylthio)-6-(pyrid-4-ylcarbonylamino)hexamido)-3-phenethyl-1-((S)-1-methylcarbamoyl-2-phenylethyl)pyrrolidin-2-one

Combine the (S)-3-((S)-2-(p-methoxybenzylthio)-6-aminohexamido)-3-phenethyl-1-((S)-1-methylcarbamoyl-2-phenylethyl)pyrrolidin-2-one and dimethylformamide (3 mL). Add N-hydyroxy-succinimide isonicotinate (284 mg, 1.29 mmol). After 4 hours, the concentrate in vacuo to give a residue, dissolve the residue in methanol, support on Celite, and purified by chromatography on silica gel eluting sequentially with 95/5 dichloromethane/methanol and then 90/10 dichloromethane/methanol. Concentrate the product containing fractions and further purify by radial chromatography on silica gel eluting with a gradient of 95/5 to 90/10 ethyl acetate/ethanol to give the title compound (122 mg, 39%).

2.3 Synthesis of (S)-3-((S-2-mercapto-6-(pyrid-4-ylcarbonylamino)hexamido)-3-phenethyl-1-((S)-1-methylcarbamoyl-2-phenylethyl)pyrrolidin-2-one trifluoroacetic acid salt

Combine (S)-3-((S)-2-(p-methoxybenzylthio)-6-(pyrid-4-ylcarbonylamino)hexamido)-3-phenethyl-1-((S)-1-methylcarbamoyl-2-phenylethyl)pyrrolidin-2-one (122 mg, 0.166 mmol), mercuric acetate (66 mg, 0.207 mmol), and anisole (0.18 mL, 1.7 mmol) in dichloromethane (5 mL). Cool in an ice bath and degas by repeated cycles of vacuum and filling with nitrogen. Add trifluoroacetic acid (2 mL). After 3 hours, bubble hydrogen disulfide gas through the reaction mixture for about 15 minutes to give a black precipitate. Remove the precipitate by filtration and rise with dichloromethane. Evaporate the filtrate in vacuo and remove residual trifluoroacetic acid by coevaporation with carbon tetrachloride to give a residue. Triturate the residue sequentially with hexane, diethyl ether, and then hexane to give the title compound as a solid (102 mg, 84%). ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃) d 24.4, 26.5, 27.6, 29.4, 33.9, 35.2, 36.9, 39.8, 42.0, 46.2, 61.7, 61.9, 123.8, 126.8, 126.9, 128.3, 128.6, 128.86, 128.93, 137.7, 140.2, 145.1, 147.0, 163.6, 169.3, 173.0, 173.5. MS Calculated for C₃₄H₄₁N₅O₄S.C₂HF₃O₂=615.8.114.0. Found (M+H)⁺=616.

EXAMPLE 3

3-((S)-2-mercapto-6-phthalamidohexamido)-3-phenethyl-1-((S)-1-methylcarbamoyl-2-phenylethyl)piperidin-2-one

3.1 Synthesis of 4-phenethyl-3-(carbobenzyloxy)-2-phenyloxazolidin-5-one

Combine N-(carbobenzyloxy)-(L)-homophenylalanine (5.00 g. 16.0 mmol) and benzaldehyde dimethyl acetal (2.64 mL, 17.6 mmol) in diethyl ether (75 mL). Add boron trifluoride etherate (9.6 mL, 78 mmol). After 18 hours, add additional benzaldehyde dimethyl acetal (1.0 mL, 6.7 mmol). After 3 days, dilute the reaction mixture with diethyl ether (75 mL) and extract with a 10% aqueous potassium acetate solution (3×50 mL) and then brine (20 mL). Dry the organic layer over MgSO₄, filter, and concentrated to give a residue. Chromatograph the residue on silica gel eluting sequentially with 9/1 hexane/ethyl acetate and then 4/1 hexane/ethyl acetate to give the title compound (5.82 g, 91%).

3.2 Synthesis of 4-phenethyl-4-allyl-3-(carbobenzyloxy)-2-phenyloxazolidin-5-one

Combine 4-phenethyl-3-(carbobenzyloxy)-2-phenyloxazolidin-5-one (5.77 g, 14.4 mmol) and allyl iodide (3.94 mL, 43.1 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (35 mL). Cool in a dry-ice/acetone bath. Add dropwise over about 25 minutes a solution of potassium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide (34.5 mL, 17.2 mmol, 0.5 M in toluene). After 5 minutes, remove the cooling bath. After 30 minutes, quench the reaction mixture with 0.5 M aqueous hydrochloric acid solution (300 mL) and extract with ethyl acetate (200 mL). Saturate the aqueous layer with sodium chloride and extract again with ethyl acetate (150 mL). Extract the combined organic layers with 0.5 M aqueous hydrochloric acid solution (100 mL), saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution (100 mL), and brine (100 mL). Dry the organic layer over MgSO₄, filter, and concentrate in vacuo to give a residue. Chormatograph the residue on silica gel eluting with 9/1 hexane/ethyl acetate to give the title compound (2.95 g, 46%).

3.3 Synthesis of 3-phenyl-1-allyl-1-methoxycarbonyl-1-(N-(carbobenzyloxy)amino)propane

Combine 4-phenethyl-4-allyl-3-(carbobenzyloxy)-2-phenyloxazolidin-5-one (2.95 g, 6.68 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (40 mL)/methanol (25 mL)/water (15 mL). Add potassium tert-butoxide (1.87 g, 16.7 mmol). Heat at reflux. After 2.5 hours, cool the reaction mixture, concentrate in vacuo to remove the organic solvents, dilute with water (15 mL) and extract with diethyl ether (2×25 mL). Saturate the aqueous layer with sodium chloride, acidify to about pH of 1 using 1 M aqueous hydrochloric acid solution and extract with dichloromethane (60 mL). Separate the layers and extract the aqueous layer with dichloromethane (60 mL). Combine the organic layers and extract with brine/0.1 M aqueous hydrochloric acid solution (4/1, 30 mL), dry over MgSO₄, filter, and evaporate in vacuo to give the crude acid (2.36 g, 100%). Combine the crude acid (2.36 g, 6.68 mmol) in methanol (25 mL). Cool in an ice bath. Add dropwise a solution of (trimethylsilyl)diazomethane (10 mL, 20 mmol, 2.0M IN hexane). After the addition was complete, remove the cooling bath. After 18 hours, add acetic acid (3 drops) and evaporate the reaction mixture in vacuo to give a residue. Chromatograph the residue on silica gel eluting sequentially with 95/5 hexane/ethyl acetate and then 90/10 hexane/ethyl acetate to give the title compound (1.91 g, 78%).

3.4 Synthesis of 3-phenyl-1-(3-hydroxypropyl)-1-methoxycarbonyl-1-(N-(carbobenzyloxy)-amino)propane

Combine a solution of 9-borabicyclo[3.3.1 ]nonane (9-BBN) (4.0 mL, 2.0 mmol, 0.5M tetrahydrofuran) and a solution of 3-phenyl-1-allyl-1-methoxycarbonyl-1-(N-(carbobenzyloxy)-amino)propane (367 mg, 1.00 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (2 mL). After 1.5 hours, add sequentially 0.05 M, pH 7, phosphate buffer solution (6 mL), methanol (5 mL), and 30% aqueous peroxide solution (4 mL). After 18 hours, concentrate in vacuo to remove the organic solvents and extract with ethyl acetate (2×35 mL). Extract the combined organic layers with a saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution (20 mL) and then brine (20 mL), dry over MgSO₄, and concentrate to give a residue. Repeatedly combine the residue and methanol (20 mL) and evaporate in vacuo to remove boron containing by-products. Chromatograph the resulting material on silica gel eluting sequentially with 1/1 hexane/ethyl acetate and then 2/3 hexane/ethyl acetate to give the title compound (342 mg, 89%).

3.5 Synthesis of 3-phenyl-1-(3-oxopropyl)-1-methoxycarbonyl-1-(N-(carbobenzyloxy)-amino)propane

Combine a solution of oxalyl chloride (1.73 mL, 3.46 mmol, 2.0 M dichloromethane) in dichloromethane (8 mL), cool to −55° C. and add dropwise with dimethyl sulfoxide (0.45 mL, 6.3 mmol). After 4 minutes, add dropwise a solution 3-phenyl-1-(3-hydroxypropyl)-1-methoxycarbonyl-1-(N-(carbobenzyloxy)-amino)propane (1.20 g, 3.11 mmol) in dichloromethane (3 mL). After 15 minutes, add triethylamine (2.19 mL, 15.7 mmol). After 5 minutes, remove the cooling bath and warm to ambient temperature, dilute with dichloromethane (75 mL) and extract with 1 M aqueous hydrochloric acid solution (2×50 mL), saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution (2×50 mL), and then brine (30 mL). Dry the organic layer over MgSO₄, filter, and concentrate in vacuo to give a residue. Chromatograph the residue on silica gel eluting with 7/3 hexane/ethyl acetate title compound (370 mg, 31%).

3.6 Synthesis of 3-phenyl-1-(3-(1-((S)-1-methylcarbamoyl-2-phenylethyl)aminopropyl)-1-methoxycarbonyl-1-(N-(carbobenzyloxy)-amino)propane

Combine 3-phenyl-1-(3-oxopropyl)-1-methoxycarbonyl-1-(N-(carbobenzyloxy)-armno)propane (370 mg, 0.96 mmol) and (L)-phenylalanine-N-methyl amide trifluoroacetic acid salt (705 mg, 2.41 mmol) in methanol (10 mL). Add powdered activated 3 Å sieves (0.7 g). After 45 minutes, add a solution of sodium cyanoborohydride (0.33 mL, 0.33 mmol, 1.0M IN tetrahydrofuran). After the addition is complete, heat at reflux. After 1 day, cool to ambient temperature, filter through Celite, and concentrate in vacuo to give a residue. Chromatograph the residue on silica gel eluting sequentially with 1/3 hexane/ethyl acetate and then ethyl acetate to give the title compound (289 mg, 55%).

3.7 Synthesis of 3-((N-carbobenzyloxy)amino)-3-phenethyl-1-((S)-1-methylcarbamoyl-2-phenylethyl)piperidin-2-one

Combine 3-phenyl-1-(3-(1-((S)-1-methylcarbamoyl-2-phenylethyl)aminopropyl)-1-methoxycarbonyl-1-(N-(carbobenzyloxy)-amino)propane (288 mg, 0.53 mmol) and potassium tert-butoxide (148 mg, 1.32 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (4.0 mL)/methanol (2.5 mL)/water (1.5 mL). Heat at reflux. After 4 hours, cool the reaction mixture, concentrate in vacuo to remove the organic solvents, dilute with water (15 mL) and extract with diethyl ether (2×25 mL). Saturate the aqueous layer with sodium chloride. acidified to about pH of 1 using 1 M aqueous hydrochloric acid solution and extract with dichloromethane (60 mL). Separate the layers and extract the aqueous layer was extracted with dichloromethane (60 mL). Combine the organic layers and extract with brine/0.1N HCl (4/1=30 mL), dry over MgSO₄, filter, and concentrate in vacuo to give a residue (266 mg, 94%). Combine the residue (266 mg, 0.50 mnmol), N-methylmorpholine (0.1 mL, 1.0 mmol), and 1-hydroxybenzotriazole hydrate (68 mg, 0.50 mmol) in dichloromethane (4 mL). Add 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (100 mg, 0.5 mmol). After 2 days, dilute the reaction mixture with dichloromethane (30 mL) and extract the diluted reaction mixture with 0.5 M aqueous hydrochloric acid solution (2×30 mL), saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution (30 mL), and then brine (30 mL). Dry the organic layer over MgSO₄, filter and concentrate in vacuo to give a residue. Chromatograph the residue on silica gel eluting sequentially with 1/9 hexane/diethyl ether and then diethyl ether to give one epimer of the title compound (90 mg, 35%) and the other epimer of the title compound (30 mg, 12%).

3.8 Synthesis of (R)-3-amino-3-phenethyl-1-((S)-1-methylcarbamoyl-2-phenylethyl)piperidin-2-one

Combine 3-((N-carbobenzyloxy)amino)-3-phenethyl-1-((S)-1-methylcarbamoyl-2-phenylethyl)piperidin-2-one (80 mg, 0.16 mmol) and tetrahydrofuran (2 mL)/methanol (3 mL). Add 10% palladium-on-carbon (90 mg) and introduce a hydrogen atmosphere via a balloon. After 1 day, filter through Celite/MgSO₄. Rinse with tetrahydrofuran and the concentrate the filtrate to give the title compound (65 mg, 110%).

3.9 Synthesis of (R)-3-((R)-2-bromo-6-phthalamidohexamido)-3-phenethyl-1-((S)-1-methylcarbamoyl-2-phenylethyl)piperidin-2-one

Combine 3.8 Synthesis of (R)-3-amino-3-phenethyl-1-((S)-1-methylcarbamoyl-2-phenylethyl)piperidin-2-one (65 mg, ˜0.16 mmol), N-methylmorpholine (0.051 mL, 0.47 mmol), and (R)-2-bromo-6-phthalimidohexanoic acid (106 mg, 0.31 mmol) in dimethylformamide (2 mL). Add O-azabenztriazoyl-N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyluronium hexafluoro-phosphate (HATU, 118 mg, 0.31 mmol). After 24 hours, dilute the reaction mixture with brine (10 mL) and extract with ethyl acetate. Combine the organic layers and with 1.0 M aqueous hydrochloric acid solution (15 mL) and then saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate/brine (1/1=15 mL). Dry the organic layer over MgSO₄, filter, and concentrate in vacuo to give a residue. Chromatograph the residue on silica gel eluting sequentially with ethyl acetate and then 9/1 ethyl acetate/acetone (100/0 to 90/10) to give the title compound (38 mg, 25%).

3.10 Synthesis of (R)-3-((S)-2-(p-methoxybenzylthio)-6-phthalamidohexamido)-3-phenethyl-1-((S)-1-methylcarbamoyl-2-phenylethyl)piperidin-2-one

Combine (R)-3-((R)-2-bromo-6-phthalamidohexamido)-3-phenethyl-1-((S)-1-methylcarbamoyl-2-phenylethyl)piperidin-2-one (38 mg, 0.054 mmol), p-methoxybenzyl mercaptan (0.023 mL, 0.16 mmol), and of tetra-n-butylammonium iodide (about 10 mg) in dimethylfonmamide (1 mL). Degas by repeated cycles of vacuum and filling with nitrogen. Add cesium carbonate (23 mg, 0.070 mmol). After 1 day, dilute the reaction mixture with brine (5 mL) and extract twice with dichloromethane. Combine the organic layer, extract with water (15 mL) and then brine (15 mL), dry over MgSO₄, filter, and concentrate in vacuo to give a residue to an oil. Chromatograph the residue on silica gel eluting with 1/3 hexane/ethyl acetate (1/3) to give the title compound (28 mg, 67%).

3.11 Synthesis of (R)-3-((S)-2-(p-methoxybenzylthio)-6-phthalamidohexamido)-3-phenethyl-1-((S)-1-methylcarbamoyl-2-phenylethyl)piperidin-2-one

Combine (R)-3-((S)-2-(p-methoxybenzylthio)-6-phthalamidohexamido)-3-phenethyl-1-((S)-1-methylcarbamoyl-2-phenylethyl)piperidin-2-one (28 mg, 0.036 mmol), mercuric acetate (13 mg, 0.041 mmol), and anisole (0.039 mL, 0.36 mmol) in dichloromethane (1 mL). Cool in an ice bath and degas by repeated cylces of vacuum and filling with nitrogen gas. Add trifluoroacetic acid (0.25 mL). After 4.5 hours, bubble in hydrogen sulfide gas for about 3 minutes to give a black precipitate. Remove the black precipitate by filtration and rinse with dichloromethane. Evaporate the filtrate in vacuo to give a residue. Chromatograph the residue on silica gel eluting with 1/9 hexane/ethyl acetate to give the title compounds (9 mg, 38%) containing about 15% of the (R)-mercapto epimer. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) d 1.30-1.80 (m, 7), 1.87-2.00 (m, 3), 1.92 (d, 1, J=8.8 Hz), 2.06-2.28 (m, 2), 2.66-2.82 (m, 3), 2.75 (d, 3, J=4.7 Hz), 3.05-3.15 (m, 1), 3.36 (dd, 1, J=11,14), 3.45-3.54 (m, 2), 3.69 (t, 2, J=7.1), 3.94 (dd, 1, J=5.1,11), 6.76 (brs, 1), 7.02-7.10 (m, 1), 7.12-7.30 (m, 8), 7.32-7.37 (m, 2), 7.68-7.73 (m, 2), 7.79-7.85 (m, 2). MS Calculated for C₃₇H₄₂N₄O₅S=654.8. Found (M+H)⁺=655.

EXAMPLE 4

3-(2-mercapto-6-phthalamidohexamido)-3-phenethyl-1-((S)-1-carboxy-2-phenylethyl)pyrrolidin-2-one

4.1 Synthesis of 3-phenyl-1-(2-((S)-1-t-butoxycarbonyl-2-phenylethylamino)ethyl)-1-methoxycarbonyl-1-(N-(carbobenzyloxy)amino)propane

Prepare by the method of Example 1.5 using 3-phenyl-1-(2-oxoethyl)-1-methoxycarbonyl-1-(N-(carbobenzyloxy)-amino)propane and t-butyl (L)-phenylalanine hydrochloric acid salt to give the title compound.

4.2 Synthesis of 3-(N-(carbobenzyloxy)amino)-3-phenethyl-1-((S)-1-t-butoxycarbonyl-2-phenylethyl)pyrrolidin-2-one

Prepare by the method of Example 1.6 using 3-phenyl-1-(2-((S)-1-t-butoxycarbonyl-2-phenylethylamino)ethyl)-1-methoxycarbonyl-1-(N-(carbobenzyloxy)amino)propane to give the title compound.

4.3 Synthesis of 3-amino-3-phenetbyl-1-((S)1-t-butoxycarbonyl-2-phenylethyl)pyrrolidin-2-one

Prepare by the method of Example 1.7 using 3-(N-(carbobenzyloxy)amino)-3-phenethyl-1-((S)-1-t-butoxycarbonyl-2-phenylethyl)pyrrolidin-2-one to give the title compound.

4.4 Synthesis of 3-(2-bromo-6-phthalamidohexamido)-3-phenethyl-1-((S)-1-t-butoxycarbonyl-2-phenylethyl)pyrrolidin-2-one

Prepare by the method of Example 1.8 using 3-amino-3-phenethyl-1-((S)-1-t-butoxycarbonyl-2-phenylethyl)pyrrolidin-2-one and 2-bromo-6-phthalimidohexanoic acid to give the title compound.

4.5 Synthesis of 3-(2-(p-methoxybenzylthio)-6-phthalamidohexamido)-3-phenethyl-1-((S)-1-t-butoxycarbonyl-2-phenylethyl)pyrrolidin-2-one

Prepare by the method of Example 1.9.1 3-(2-bromo-6-phthalamidohexamido)-3-phenethyl-1-((S)-1-t-butoxycarbonyl-2-phenylethyl)pyrrolidin-2-one and p-methoxybenzyl-mercaptan (0.06 mL, 0.43 mmol) in dry dimethylformamide (3 mL). Degas by repeated cycles of vacuum and filling with nitrogen gas. Add cesium carbonate (70 mg, 0.21 mmol). After 18 hours, add water (10 mL) was and the extract the diluted reaction mixture with ethyl acetate (75 mL). Extract the organic layer with brine (20 mL), dry over Na₂SO₄, filter, and concentrate in vacuo to give a residue. Chromatograph the residue eluting sequentially with 1/1 hexane/ethyl acetate and then 1/2 hexane/ethyl acetate) to give the title compound.

4.6 Synthesis of 3-((S)-2-mercapto-6-phthalamidohexamido)-3-phenethyl-1-((S)-1-carboxy-2-phenylethyl)pyrrolidin-2-one

Prepare by the method of Example 1.10.1 using 3-((S)-2-(p-methoxybenzylthio)-6-phthalaamidohexamido)-3-phenethyl-1-((S)-1-t-butoxycarbonyl-2-phenylethyl)pyrrolidin-2-one to give the title compound.

In a further embodiment, the present invention provides a method of inhibiting matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) to a patient in need thereof comprising administering to the patient an effective matrix metalloproteinase inhibiting amount of a compound of formula (1).

As used herein, the term “patient” refers to warm-blooded animals or mammnals, including guinea pigs, dogs, cats, rats, mice, hamsters, rabbits and primates, including humans. A patient is in need of treatment to inhibit MMP when it would be beneficial to the patient to reduce the physiological effect of active MMP. For example, a patient is in need of treatment to inhibit MMP when a patient is suffering from a disease state characterized by excessive tissue disruption or tissue degradation, such as, but not limited to, a neoplastic disease state or cancer; rheumatoid arthritis; osteoarthritis; chronic inflammatory disorders, such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis; cardiovascular disorders, such as atherosclerosis; corneal ulceration; dental diseases, such as gingivitis or periodontal disease; and neurological disorders, such as multiple sclerosis.

The identification of those patients who are in need of treatment to inhibit MMP is well within the ability and knowledge of one skilled in the art. A clinician skilled in the art can readily identify, by the use of clinical tests, physical examination and medical/family history, those patients who are suffering from disease states characterized by excessive tissue disruption or tissue degradation.

An “effective matrix metalloproteinase inhibiting amount” of a compound of formula (1) is an amount which is effective, upon single or multiple dose administration to the patient, in providing relief of symptoms associated with MMP and is thus effective in inhibiting MMP-induced tissue disruption and/or MMP-induced tissue degradation. As used herein, “relief of symptoms” of MMP-mediated conditions refers to decrease in severity over that expected in the absence of treatment and does not necessarily indicate a total elimination or cure of the disease. Relief of symptoms is also intended to include prophylaxis.

An effective matrix metalloproteinase inhibiting dose can be readily determined by the use of conventional techniques and by observing results obtained under analogous circumstances. In determining the effective dose, a number of factors are considered including, but not limited to: the species of the patient; its size, age, and general health; the specific disease involved; the degree of involvement or the severity of the disease; the response of the individual patient; the particular compound administered; the mode of administration; the bioavailability characteristics of the preparation administered; the dose regimen selected; and the use of concomitant medication.

An effective matrix metalloproteinase inhibiting amount of a compound of formula (1) will generally vary from about 0.1 milligram per kilogram of body weight per day (mg/kg/day) to about 300 milligrams per kilogram of body weight per day (mg/kg/day). A daily dose of from about 1 mg/kg to about 100 mg/kg is preferred.

The term “neoplastic disease state” as used herein refers to an abnormal state or condition characterized by rapidly proliferating cell growth or neoplasm. Neoplastic disease states for which treatment with a compound of formula (1) will be particularly useful include: Leukemias, such as, but not limited to, acute lymphoblastic, chronic lymphocytic, acute myeloblastic and chronic myelocytic; Carcinomas and adenocarcinomas, such as, but not limited to, those of the cervix, oesophagus, stomach, small intestines, colon, lungs (both small and large cell), breast and prostate; Sarcomas, such as, but not limited to, oesteroma, osteosarcoma, lipoma, liposarcoma, hemangioma and hemangiosarcoma; Melanomas, including amelanotic and melanotic; and mixed types of neoplasias such as, but not limited to carcinosarcoma, lymphoid tissue type, follicullar reticulum, cell sarcoma and Hodgkin's Disease. Neoplastic disease states for which treatment with a compound of formula (1) will be particularly preferred include carcinomas and adenocarcinomas, particularly of the breast, prostate and lung.

Atherosclerosis is a disease state characterized by the development and growth of atherosclerotic lesions or plaque. The identification of those patients who are in need of treatment for atherosclerosis is well within the ability and knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art. For example, individuals who are either suffering from clinically significant atherosclerosis or who are at risk of developing clinically significant atherosclerosis are patients in need of treatment for atherosclerosis. A clinician of ordinary skill in the art can readily determine, by the use of clinical tests, physical examination and medical/family history, if an individual is a patient in need of treatment for atherosclerosis.

The term “chronic inflammatory disease” refers to diseases or conditions characterized by persistent inflammation in the absence of an identifiable irritant or microbial pathogen. Inflammatory diseases for which treatment with a compound of formula (1) will be particularly useful include: emphysema, chronic bronchitis, asthma, and chronic inflammation.

In effecting treatment of a patient, a compound of formula (1) can be administered in any form or mode which makes the compound bioavailable in effective amounts, including oral and parenteral routes. For example, the compound can be administered orally, subcutaneously, intramuscularly, intravenously, transdermally, topically, intranasally, rectally, and the like. Oral administration is generally preferred. One skilled in the art of preparing formulations can readily select the proper form and mode of administration depending upon the disease state to be treated, the stage of the disease, and other relevant circumstances. Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 18th Edition, Mack Publishing Co. (1990).

A compound of formula (1) can be administered in the form of pharmaceutical compositions or medicaments which are made by combining a compound of formula (1) with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or excipients, the proportion and nature of which are determined by the chosen route of administration, and standard pharmaceutical practice.

The pharmaceutical compositions or medicaments are prepared in a manner well known in the pharmaceutical art. The carrier or excipient may be a solid, semi-solid, or liquid material which can serve as a vehicle or medium for the active ingredient. Suitable carriers or excipients are well known in the art. The pharmaceutical composition may be adapted for oral or parenteral use and may be administered to the patient in the form of tablets, capsules, suppositories, solution, suspensions, gels, ointments, aerosol or the like.

The pharmaceutical compositions may be administered orally, for example, with an inert diluent or with an edible carrier. They may be enclosed in gelatin capsules or compressed into tablets. For the purpose of oral therapeutic administration, a compound of formula (1) may be incorporated with excipients and used in the form of tablets, troches, capsules, elixirs, suspensions, syrups, wafers, chewing gums and the like. These preparations should contain at least 4% of a compound of formula (1), the active ingredient, but may be varied depending upon the particular form and may conveniently be between 4% to about 70% of the weight of the unit. The amount of the active ingredient present in compositions is such that a unit dosage form suitable for administration will be obtained.

The tablets, pills, capsules, troches and the like may also contain one or more of the following adjuvants: binders, such as microcrystalline cellulose, gum tragacanth or gelatin; excipients, such as starch or lactose, disintegrating agents such as alginic acid, Primogel, corn starch and the like; lubricants, such as magnesium stearate or Sterotex; glidants, such as colloidal silicon dioxide; and sweetening agents, such as sucrose or saccharin may be added or flavoring agents, such as peppermint, methyl salicylate or orange flavoring. When the dosage unit form is a capsule, it may contain, in addition to materials of the above type, a liquid carrier such as polyethylene glycol or a fatty oil. Other dosage unit forms may contain other various materials which modify the physical form of the dosage unit, for example, as coatings. Thus, tablets or pills may be coated with sugar, shellac, or other enteric coating agents. A syrup may contain, in addition to the active ingredient, sucrose as a sweetening agent and certain preservatives, dyes and colorings and flavors. Materials used in preparing these various compositions should be pharmaceutically pure and non-toxic in the amounts used.

For the purpose of parenteral administration, a compound of formula (1) may be incorporated into a solution or suspension. These preparations should contain at least 0.1% of a compound of the invention, but may be varied to be between 0.1 and about 50% of the weight thereof. The amount of the active ingredient present in such compositions is such that a suitable dosage will be obtained.

The solutions or suspensions may also include one or more of the following adjuvants depending on the solubility and other properties of a compound of formula (1): sterile diluents such as water for injection, saline solution, fixed oils, polyethylene glycols, glycerine, propylene glycol or other synthetic solvents; antibacterial agents such as benzyl alcohol or methyl paraben; antioxidants such as ascorbic acid or sodium bisulfite; chelating agents such as ethylene diaminetetraacetic acid; buffers such as acetates, citrates or phosphates and agents for the adjustment of toxicity such as sodium chloride or dextrose. The parenteral preparation can be enclosed in ampules, disposable syringes or multiple dose vials made of glass or plastic.

The MMP inhibitors of the present invention can be evaluated by the procedures that follow.

EXAMPLE A

Source and Activation of proMMP-1

ProMMP-1 (EC 3.4.24.7; interstitial collagenase) was purified from culture medium of human rheumatoid synovial fibroblasts stimulated with macrophage-conditioned medium according to Okada, Y. et al., J. Biol. Chem. 261, 14245-14255 (1986). The active MMP-1 was obtained by treatment of proMMP-1 with trypsin (5 μg/mL) at 37° C. for 30 minutes, followed by addition of soybean trypsin inhibitor (50 μg/mL).

Determination of Inhibition Constant (K_(i)) for MMP-1

The activated MMP-1 is assayed using a fluorogenic substrate, Mca-Pro-Leu-Gly-Leu-Dpa-Ala-Arg-NH₂, Knight, C. G. et al., FEBS Lett. 296, 263-266 (1992), at 37° C. in 2.0 mL of assay buffer containing 50 mM Tris, pH 7.6, 0.2 M sodium chloride, 50 mM calcium chloride, and 0.02% Brij-35. The increase in fluorescence due to cleavage of Gly-Leu peptide bond by MMP-3 was monitored with Perkin-Elmer LS50B Fluorimeter (λ_(ex) 328 nm, λ_(em) 393 nm, excitation slit 2.5, emission slit 10). Substrate and inhibitor stock solutions were made in DMF. For determination of K_(i) values for MMP-1 inhibitors, a series of intermediate inhibitor solutions were prepared in DMF and 1 or 2 μL of the diluted inhibitor solution was mixed with 1 μL of 2 mM substrate solution in DMF in a quartz cuvette containing 2 mL of assay buffer. The enzyme (10 μL of 0.2 μM MMP-3 dilution in assay buffer) was added at the last to start the reaction. For routine measurement of a K_(i) value for a reversible, competitive inhibitor, the initial rates in the presence of at least four inhibitor concentrations (two concentrations above K_(i) and two concentrations below K_(i)) were measured using [S]=1 μM (<<K_(m)) and [MMP-1]=0.8 nM. Under these conditions, the measured K_(i, app) is close to true K_(i).

Calculation of K_(i) Values

The K_(i) for a competitive inhibitor is calculated using: v₀/v_(i)=(1+[I]/K_(i, app)) and K_(i)=K_(i, app)/(1+[S]/K_(m)), where v₀ is the initial rate in the absence of inhibitor, v_(i) is the initial rate in the presence of inhibitor at the concentration of [I], [S] is the substrate concentration, and K_(m) is the Michaelis constant. If slow binding is observed (i.e. if the approach to the binding equilibrium is slow), the final steady-state rate rather than the initial rate is taken as v_(i).

EXAMPLE B

Source and Activation of proMMP-2

Recombinant MMP-2 was purified from the fermentation broth of yeast Pichia pastoris that carries the integrated MMP-2 gene into its chromosome. In brief, the full-length cDNA for MMP-2 was obtained by reverse transcription of RNA from human melanoma A375M cell line by the reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using sequence specific oligonucleotides. The nucleotide sequence was confirmed by Taq cycle sequencing. The cDNA was ligated into the Pichia pastoris expression vector pHIL-D2 in such a way that the expression of pro-MMP-2 is under the control of the methanol inducible alcohol oxidase promoter. The expression construct was digested with either SalI or NsiI and used to transform the Pichia pastoris strains KM71 and SMD1168. A large-scale culture of a selected clone designated 24S was performed in a high cell density fermentor and the recombinant MMP-2 was purified from the culture supernatant by gelatin-sepharose 4B (Pharmacia). The enzyme is sufficiently pure at this stage for routine measurement of inhibition. If desired, however, the enzyme may be firther purified by AcA 44 gel filtration (Spectra).

Determination of Inhibition Constant (K_(i)) for MMP-2

The active MMP-2 was obtained by activation of proMMP-2 at 37° C. for 1 h with 4-aminophenylmercuric acetate which was then removed by a Sephadex G-50 spin column. The enzyme is assayed using a fluorogenic substrate, Mca-Pro-Leu-Gly-Leu-Dpa-Ala-Arg-NH₂, at 37° C. in 2.0 mL of assay buffer containing 50 mM Tris, pH 7.6, 0.2 M sodium chloride, 50 mM calcium chloride, 0.02% Brij-35, and 50 μM β-mercaptoethanol. The increase in fluorescence is monitored (λ_(ex) 328 nm, λ_(em) 393 nm). Substrate and inhibitor stock solutions are made in DMF. The enzyme is added at the last to start the reaction. For routine measurement of a K_(i) value for a reversible, competitive inhibitor, the initial rates in the presence of at least four inhibitor concentrations (two inhibitor concentrations above K_(i) and two below K_(i)) are measured using [S]=1 μM (<<K_(m)) and [MMP-2]=0.4 nM. Under these conditions, the measured K_(i, app) is close to true K_(i).

EXAMPLE C

Source and Activation of proMMP-3

ProMMP-3 (EC 3.4.24.17; Stromelysin-1) was purified from culture medium of human rheumatoid synovial fibroblasts stimulated with macrophage-conditioned medium according to Okada, Y. et al., J. Biol. Chem. 261, 14245-14255 (1986). The active MMP-3 was obtained by treatment of proMMP-3 with trypsin (5 μg/mL) at 37° C. for 30 minutes, followed by addition of soybean trypsin inhibitor (50 μg/mL). Aliquots of the activated MMP-3 were stored at −20° C.

Determination of Inhibition Constant (K_(i)) for MMP-3

The activated MMP-3 is assayed using a fluorogenic substrate, Mca-Pro-Leu-Gly-Leu-Dpa-Ala-Arg-NH₂, Knight, C. G. et al., FEBS Lett. 296,263-266 (1992), at 37° C. in an assay buffer containing 50 mM Tris, pH 7.6, 0.2 M sodium chloride, 50 mM calcium chloride, and 0.02% Brij-35. The increase in fluorescence due to cleavage of Gly-Leu peptide bond by MMP-3 was monitored with Perkin-Elmer LS50B Fluorimeter (λ_(ex) 328 nm, λ_(em) 393 nm, excitation slit 2.5, ernission slit 10). Substrate and inhibitor stock solutions were made in DMF and 0.1% HCl-DMF, respectively. For determination of K_(i) values for MMP-3 inhibitors, a series of intermediate inhibitor solutions were prepared in 0.1% HCl-DMF and 1 or 2 μL of the diluted inhibitor solution was mixed with 1 μL of 2 mM substrate solution in DMF in a quartz cuvette containing 2 mL of assay buffer. The enzyme (10 μL of 0.2 μM MMP-3 dilution in assay buffer) was added at the last to start the reaction. For routine measurement of a K_(i) value for a reversible, competitive inhibitor, the initial rates in the presence of at least four inhibitor concentrations (two concentrations above K_(i) and two concentrations below K_(i)) were measured using [S]=1 μM (<<K_(m)) and [MMP-3]=1 nM. Under these conditions, the measured K_(i, app) is close to true K_(i).

Calculation of K_(i) Values

The K_(i) for a competitive inhibitor is calculated using: v₀/v_(i)=(1+[I]/K_(i, app)) and K_(i)=K_(i, app)/(1+[S]/K_(m)), where v₀ is the initial rate in the absence of inhibitor, v_(i) is the initial rate in the presence of inhibitor at the concentration of [I], [S] is the substrate concentration, and K_(m) is the Michaelis constant. If slow binding is observed (i.e. if the approach to the binding equilibrium is slow), the final steady-state rate rather than the initial rate is taken as v_(i).

EXAMPLE D

Source of MMP-12 (macrophage metalloelastase)

MMP-12 (EC 3.4.24.65) was cloned, expressed and purified according to Shapiro, S. D. et al., J Biol. Chem. 268, 23824-23829 (1993). Autoactivation resulted in the fully processed active form of the enzyme. Aliquots of MMP-12 were stored at −70° C.

Determination of the Inhibition Constant (K_(i)) for MMP-12.

The potency of inhibitors of MMP-12 was measured using either quartz cuvettes or microtiter plates. The activity of MMP-12 was measured using a fluorogenic substrate, Mca-Pro-Leu-Gly-Leu-Dpa-Ala-Arg-NH₂, Knight, C. G. et al., FEBS Lett. 296, 263-266 (1992), at 25° C. in an assay buffer containing 50 mM Tris, pH 7.6, 0.2 M sodium chloride, 50 mM calcium chloride, and 0.02% Brij-35. The increase in fluorescence due to cleavage of Gly-Leu peptide bond by MMP-12 was monitored with a Perkin-Elmer LS50B Fluorimeter (λ_(ex) 328 nm, λ_(em) 393 nm, excitation slit 2.5, emission slit 10) for the cuvette assay and with a Molecular Devices Fmax fluorescence plate reader (λ_(ex) 320 nm, λ_(em) 405 nm) for the microtiter plate assay. Substrate and inhibitor stock solutions were made in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) and 0.1% HCl-DMF, respectively.

K_(i) values were determined using the cuvette method by preparing a series of intermediate inhibitors solutions in 0.1% HCl-DMF and mixing the inhibitor with substrate (final concentration 2 μM) in a quartz cuvette containing 2 ml of assay buffer. MMP-12 was added to start the reaction at a concentration of 2 nM and progress curves were generated. For routine measurement of a K_(i) value for a reversible competitive inhibitor, the initial rates in the presence of at least four inhibitor concentrations (two concentrations above and two concentrations below the K_(i)) were measured [S]=2 μM (<<K_(m)) and [MMP-12]=2 nM. Under these conditions, the measured K_(i,app) is close to the true K_(i).

K_(i) values were determined using the microtiter plate method in a manmer similar to that described for the cuvette method with some modifications. Four different inhibitor concentrations (50 μl in assay buffer) of each compound were added to separate wells of a microtiter plate and substrate was added (100 μl) to get a final concentration of 4 mM. MMP-12 was added to a final concentration of 2 nM (50 μl) to start the reaction. Cleavage of substrate was recorded every 30 seconds for 30 minutes and progress curves were generated.

Calculation of K_(i) values

The K_(i) for a competitive inhibitor was calculated using: V_(o)/V_(i)=(1+[I]/K_(i,app)) and K_(i)=K_(i,app)/(1+[S]/K_(m)), where V_(o) is the initial rate in the absence of inhibitor, V_(i) is the initial rate in the presence of inhibitor at the concentration of [I], [S] is the substrate concentration, and K_(m) is the Michaelis constant. If slow binding is observed (i.e. if the approach to the binding equilibium is slow), the final steady-state rate rather than the initial rate is taken as V_(i). 

What is claimed is:
 1. A compound of the formula

wherein q is 1 or 2; A is selected from the group consisting of —OH and —NRR′; wherein R and R′ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁-C₆ alkyl; R₁ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, —(CH₂)_(a)—CO₂R₅, —(CH₂)_(a)—C(O)NH₂, —(CH₂)₄NH₂, —(CH₂)₃—NH—C(NH)NH₂, —CH₂)₂—S(O)_(b)—CH₃, —CH₂—OH, —CH(OH)CH₃, —CH₂—SH, —(CH₂)_(d)—Ar₁, and —CH₂—Ar₂; wherein a is 1 or 2; b is 0, 1, or 2; d is an integer from 0 to 4; R₅ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₄ alkyl, and benzyl; Ar₁ is a radical selected from the group consisting of

wherein R₆ is from 1 to 2 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₄ alkyl, hydroxy, and C₁-C₄ alkoxy; R₇ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₄ alkyl, and C₁ -C₄ alkoxy; Ar₂ is a radical selected from the group consisting of

R₂ is selected from the group consisting of C₁-C₆ alkyl and —(CH₂)_(g)—Ar_(1′); wherein g is an integer from 1 to 4; Ar_(1′) is a radical selected from the group consisting of

wherein R_(6′) is from 1 to 2 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₄ alkyl, hydroxy, and C₁-C₄ alkoxy; R_(7′) is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₄ alkyl, and C₁-C₄ alkoxy;

R₃ is selected from the group consisting of C₁-C₆ alkyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—W, —(CH₂)_(p)—Ar₃, —(CH₂)_(k)—CO₂R₉, —(CH₂)_(m)—NR_(8′)SO₂-Y₁, and —(CH₂)^(m)—Z—Q wherein m is an integer from 2 to 8; p is an integer from 0-10; k is an integer from 1 to 9; W is pbthalimido; Ar₃ is selected from the group consisting of

wherein R₂₃ is from 1 to 2 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₄ alkyl, and C₁-C₄ alkoxy; R_(8′) is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl; R₉ is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl; Y₁ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, —(CH₂)_(j)—Ar₄, and —N(R₂₄)₂ wherein j is 0 or 1; R₂₄ each time selected is independently hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl or are taken together with the nitrogen to which they are attached to form N-morpholino, N-pipenrdino, N-pyrrolidino, or N-isoindolyl;

wherein R₂₅ is from 1 to 3 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₄ alkyl, and C₁-C₄ alkoxy; Z is selected from the group consisting of —O—, —NR₈—, —C(O)NR₈—, —NR₈C(O)—, —NR₈C(O)NH—, —NR₈C(O)O—, and —OC(O)NH—; wherein R₈ is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl; Q is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, —(CH₂)_(n)—Y₂, and —(CH₂)_(x)Y₃; wherein n is an integer from 0 to 4; Y₂ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, —(CH₂)_(h)—Ar₅ and —(CH₂)_(t)—C(O)OR₂₇ wherein Ar₅ is selected from the group consisting of

 wherein  R₂₆ is from 1 to 3 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₄ alkyl, and C₁-C₄ alkoxy; h is an integer from 0 to 6; t is an integer from 1 to 6; R₂₇ is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl; x is an integer from 2 to 4; Y₃ is selected from the group consisting of —N(R₂₈)₂, N-morpholino, N-piperidino, N-pyrrolidino, and N-isoindolyl; wherein R₂₈ each time taken is independently hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl; R₄ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, —C(O)R₁₀, —C(O)—(CH₂)_(q)—X and —S—G wherein R₁₀ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₄ alkyl, phenyl, and benzyl; e is 0, 1, or 2; X is

G is

or one of its stereoisomers pharmaceutically acceptable salts, or hydrates thereof.
 2. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R₁ is selected from the group consisting of C₁-C₆ alkyl and —(CH₂)_(d)—Ar₁.
 3. A compound according to claim 2 wherein R₁ is —(CH₂)_(d)—Ar₁.
 4. A compound according to claim 3 wherein R₁ is —(CH₂)_(d)—Ar₁ wherein d is 1 or 2 and Ar₁ is phenyl.
 5. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R₂ is selected from the group consisting of C₁-C₆ alkyl and —(CH₂)_(g)—Ar_(1′).
 6. A compound according to claim 5 wherein R₂ is —(CH₂)_(g)—Ar_(1′).
 7. A compound according to claim 6 wherein R₂ is —(CH₂)_(g)—Ar_(1′) wherein g is 1, 2 or 3 and Ar_(1′) is phenyl.
 8. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R₃ is selected from the group consisting of —(CH₂)_(m)—W and —(CH₂)_(m)—Z—Q.
 9. A compound according to claim 8 wherein R₃ is —(CH₂)_(m)—W wherein m is
 4. 10. A compound according to any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein R₄ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, —C(O)R₁₀ and —S—G.
 11. A compound of claim 10 wherein R₄ is hydrogen.
 12. A compound of claim 10 wherein R₄ is —C(O)R₁₀ wherein R₁₀ is C₁-C₄ alkyl.
 13. A compound of claim 10 wherein A is —OH.
 14. A compound of claim 10 wherein A is —NRR′ wherein R is hydrogen and R′ is methyl.
 15. The compound according to claim 1 wherein the compound is 3-(2-mercapto-6-phthalamidohexamido)-3-phenethyl-1-(1-methylcarbamoyl-2-phenylethyl)pyrrolidin-2-one.
 16. A compound which is 3-((S)-2-mercapto-6-(pyrid-4-ylcarbonylamnino)hexamido)-3-phenethyl-1-(1-methylcarbamoyl-2-phenylethyl)pyrrolidin-2-one.
 17. The compound according to claim 1 wherien the compound is 3-(2-mercapto-6-phthalamidohexamido)-3-phenethyl-1-(1-methylcarbamoyl-2-phenylethyl)piperidin-2-one.
 18. The compound according to claim 1 wherein the compound is 3-(2-mercapto-6-phthalamidohexamido)-3-phenethyl-1-((S)-1-carboxy-2-phenylethyl)pyrrolidin-2-one.
 19. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of claim 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 20. A method of treating chronic inflammatory disease in a patient in need thereof which comprises administering to the patient an effective matrix metalloproteinase inhibiting amount of a compound of claim
 1. 21. The method according to claim 20 wherein the chronic inflammatory disease is emphysema. 